What is Super Tuesday? Why is it important and what and who to watch

Super Tuesday is the most significant day in the American political primary calendar. Its importance comes from the number of states voting in primary elections on a single day, the results mean candidates could overturn deficits from previous primaries or reinforce their dominance with little hope of being caught.

The term “Super Tuesday” originated in the 1980s, when a substantial number of southern states chose to hold their primaries on the same day to have more influence in the nominating process. Over time, the number of states participating and the timing of Super Tuesday have varied, but it remains a crucial juncture in the primary season due to the high number of delegates at stake. A good showing on Super Tuesday would bring huge momentum to any campaign.

This year, 15 states are involved in primary voting on 5 March, 2024. Most states have both party primaries on the same day.

What is at stake for both parties?

No opponent has come close to challenging Democrat incumbent president Joe Biden. Despite worries from voters about his age and suitability for office, the party has offered up no one to seriosuly oppose him. This could be a worry come November if recent polling is to be believed. The president was dealt a bloody nose by voters in the key swing-state of Michigan last week, with more than 100,000 Democrat voters turning their back on him; such an amount come November would result in him losing the state.

However, the Republican primaries are a little more interesting, if only slightly. Nikki Haley has her last chance to challenge Donald Trump for the Republican nomination on Super Tuesday. She has struggled in every campaign so far, with a particularly bruising result in her home state of South Carolina. Should she lose by any margin then there will be virtually no way to challenge Trump, who would then be confirmed as his party’s candidate for November 2024.