WASHINGTON — We're still months away from the 2024 presidential election, but the Iowa caucuses are putting primary season into full gear.
With President Joe Biden vying for a second term, the Democratic nominee is all but set. Meanwhile, on the Republican side several presidential hopefuls are looking to stop former president Donald Trump from claiming the party's nomination for a third time in a row.
While Trump has a commanding lead in the polls against other Republican candidates, he also faces potentially serious legal jeopardy in the form of a number of federal and state trials expected to begin sometime this year, potentially allowing a rival to jump ahead in early states.
Here's a look at key dates on the 2024 presidential election calendar
Jan. 15 - Iowa Caucus
Iowa Republican voters will indicate their picks for the party’s presidential nominee, and the results of that vote will determine how many of the state’s 40 convention delegates each candidate will receive. Candidates win national convention delegates in direct proportion to the percentage of the vote they receive. There is no minimum threshold required to qualify for delegates.
After Iowa, the Republican primary shifts to New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina over the coming weeks before moving into the rest of the country this spring.
Jan. 23 - New Hampshire Primary
The first primary of the season, New Hampshire is another early state that presidential candidates push hard for votes in. Donald Trump still holds a commanding lead in New Hampshire polls, but other candidates such as Nikki Haley have some momentum going into this contest.
Feb. 3 - South Carolina Democratic Primary
Democrats shifted their opening primary for this election cycle to Feb. 3. New Hampshire, which has traditionally voted first, is still holding its contest on Jan. 23. Biden isn't participating or campaigning there, and the state is risking possible penalties over its decision.
Feb. 6 and 8 - Nevada holds a Democratic primary and a GOP caucus
Feb. 8 - Virgin Islands Caucus
Feb. 24 - South Carolina GOP Primary
The final early state primary for Republicans, in Nikki Haley's home state, could give her the best chance of overcoming Trump and securing a primary win.
Feb. 27 - Michigan Primaries
March 2 - Idaho and Missouri Republican Caucuses
March 3 - Washington, D.C. Republican Primary
March 4 - North Dakota Republican Caucus
March 5 - Super Tuesday
On Super Tuesday, 17 states and U.S. territories will cast their votes in a variety of primaries and caucuses. At this point, it is likely that both the Democratic and Republican nominees will be all but confirmed. If the GOP nominee isn't apparent by the end of Super Tuesday, it likely means a contested convention over the summer.
March 12 - Several states vote
This first round of voting after Super Tuesday is set for Democrats living abroad, Georgia, Hawaii, Mississippi, the Northern Marina territory and Washington state. It's the first of several days over the next few weeks where multiple states will hold primaries or caucuses on the same day.
March 15 - The Northern Marina Territory GOP Caucus
March 16 - Guam GOP Caucus
March 19 - Several states vote
Voters in Arizona, Florida, Illinois, Kansas and Ohio will cast their ballots for both the GOP and Democratic nominees.
March 23 - Louisiana and Missouri primaries
April 2 - Several states vote
Primary voting takes place in Connecticut, Delaware, New York, Rhode Island and Wisconsin.
April 6 - Alaska, Hawaii and North Dakota Democratic primaries
April 13 and 20 - Wyoming Caucuses
April 21 - Puerto Rico GOP Caucus
April 23 - Pennsylvania Primary
April 28 - Puerto Rico Democratic Primary
May 7 - Indiana Primaries
May 14 - Maryland, Nebraska and West Virginia Primaries
May 21 - Kentucky and Oregon Primaries
May 23 - Idaho Democratic Caucus
June 4 - Several states vote
In the last major primary voting block of the year, Washington D.C. Democrats, as well as voters of both parties in Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico and South Dakota will cast primary votes.
June 8 - Guam and the Virgin Islands Democratic Caucuses
July 15-18 - The Republican National Convention
The convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is where delegates for the GOP, selected through caucuses and primary votes for each state, will cast their ballots for the GOP nominee. There are approximately 2,469 delegates set to attend the convention, and a candidate must win 1,235 of those to become the nominee.
Aug. 19-22 The Democratic National Convention
The Democratic convention will likely be more of a rallying event than a decision-making one. With Biden as the presumptive nominee for the Democrats, the convention will likely focus more on strategy to defeat whomever the GOP nominates.
Sept. 16 - First 2024 Presidential Debate
Sept. 25 - 2024 Vice Presidential Debate
Oct. 1 - Second 2024 Presidential Debate
Oct. 9 - Third 2024 Presidential Debate
When is the presidential election?
Nov. 5, 2024 - Election Day
Voters will head to the polls to determine who will be the next president of the United States.