Ophélie Artaud, with AFP / Photo credit: Julia Nikhinson / AFP
This Tuesday, March 5, voters in 15 American states are called to the polls on the occasion of “Super Tuesday”. A major moment in the primaries for the United States presidential election. Often, this day propels one of the Democratic and Republican candidates to the nomination. But this year, the duel between Donald Trump and Joe Biden for the White House next November seems almost inexorable. Here is everything you need to know about this day of voting across the Atlantic.
What is “Super Tuesday”?
“Super Tuesday” appeared in 1988. It is a flagship date, a Tuesday as its name suggests, which traditionally takes place at the beginning of March (with some exceptions, such as in 2008), and during which many states vote for both parties’ primaries simultaneously. The number of states that vote on that day varies from election to election, but regardless, more than a third of Republican and Democratic delegates are designated for “Super Tuesday.” 874 Republican delegates (out of 2,429 in total) will be designated this Tuesday, explains for example the New York Times.
Some “Super Tuesdays” were particularly notable, such as in 1992, when Bill Clinton won for the Democrats, even though he had lost part of the first primaries. He was later elected to the White House.
Which states will vote this year?
This Tuesday, tens of millions of voters from 15 states will travel to vote. Affected are Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont and Virginia. The Samoa Islands also vote on March 5.
Why is this year special?
Unlike previous primaries, this year the outcome of “Super Tuesday” is almost known in advance. If Joe Biden does not have a serious rival for the nomination, a typical fact for an outgoing president, for his part, Donald Trump is almost guaranteed to win the Republican nomination. The former president has crushed Republican competition so far and his only opponent, Nikki Haley, won only one primary on Sunday in Washington. This “Super Tuesday” should therefore ratify the Biden-Trump duel for the presidential election next November.