Super Tuesday: U.S. primary elections begin

This event, part of the modern primary system that has grown in recent decades, has an interesting history. Originating in the 1980s, it was first used by Southern Democrats to influence the selection of a moderate candidate, although this objective hasn’t always been achieved.

Which states are participating?

A broad cross-section of the country will participate in Super Tuesday. This year, it will take place in 16 states, and voters will head to the polls in all time zones of the continental US, from Alabama to Alaska, and from California to Texas.

Duration of Super Tuesday and the primaries

The primaries do not conclude on Super Tuesday. It is expected that neither of the candidates will secure the majority of delegates until later, between March 12th and 19th. In any case, the primaries will continue until early June. Conventions will not take place until July for Republicans and August for Democrats.

The primaries will also provide additional information about the strengths and weaknesses of the leading candidates, as major campaigns test their positions with key sectors of the electorate in a country that appears as divided as ever. Within the parties, ideological battles will be fought in primaries with relatively low participation.