Super Tuesday 2020: The Ultimate Guide to a Pivotal Day in the Democratic Presidential Race

March 3, 2020, stands as the most pivotal single day in the entire primary election cycle, a true crossroads that could either propel some Democratic presidential campaigns to undeniable frontrunner status or signal the end for others. Across 14 diverse states and the U.S. territory of American Samoa, voters will head to the polls to allocate a staggering 1,344 pledged delegates – a massive chunk of the total 3,979 pledged delegates available in the Democratic race. To secure the Democratic party’s nomination outright, a candidate needs to accumulate 1,991 delegates. The sheer volume of delegates awarded on Super Tuesday makes it an absolutely critical proving ground for the remaining contenders: former Vice President Joe Biden, former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Hawaii Representative Tulsi Gabbard, Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, and Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren. Understanding the intricate dynamics of this day, from delegate math to regional strongholds, is essential for anyone following the trajectory of the 2020 presidential race.

Today’s primaries and caucuses are being held in a geographically and demographically diverse set of states and territories, including Alabama, American Samoa, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, and Virginia. Additionally, Democrats Abroad, representing American citizens residing overseas, will cast their votes, further broadening the scope of this election day. Heading into Super Tuesday, Senator Bernie Sanders had established himself as the leading candidate, accumulating 60 delegates after securing victories in the early states of Iowa, New Hampshire, and Nevada, demonstrating strong grassroots support and a consistent appeal to progressive voters. Following closely was Joe Biden, who gained crucial momentum with 54 delegates after a commanding win in the South Carolina primary, which showcased his enduring appeal among a key Democratic demographic, particularly African American voters. Senator Elizabeth Warren, despite a strong start in the race, found herself trailing with eight delegates, especially after the recent departure of former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg, who had previously occupied a more prominent position among moderate candidates. Michael Bloomberg and Tulsi Gabbard entered Super Tuesday without any delegates from previous contests. For Mayor Bloomberg, who has self-funded an unprecedented campaign, spending over $500 million on advertisements even before appearing on a single ballot, Super Tuesday represents his first true electoral test. The question on everyone’s mind is whether his significant financial investment and ubiquitous advertising blitz will translate into a meaningful delegate haul and a viable path to the nomination.

The battle for delegates on Super Tuesday is intensely focused on a few key states, none more significant than California. With an astonishing 415 Democratic delegates up for grabs – the largest delegate prize in the entire primary calendar – California holds immense power to shape the future of the race. Given its predominantly progressive and “blue” political landscape, Senator Sanders has been widely expected to perform exceptionally well here, potentially securing a substantial number of delegates that could cement his frontrunner status. Another critical state voting today is Texas, offering a considerable 228 delegates. This state is anticipated to be a stronghold for former Vice President Joe Biden, a prediction bolstered by a series of high-profile endorsements he received just days before Super Tuesday. At a Dallas rally on March 2, Biden was joined by two former presidential hopefuls who had recently suspended their own campaigns: former Texas Representative Beto O’Rourke, and Senator Amy Klobuchar, who announced her departure from the race only hours earlier. Adding to this wave of moderate support, Pete Buttigieg also threw his endorsement behind Biden on the same day. This sudden influx of support from the moderate wing of the party raised a pivotal question: Would these endorsements, combined with Biden’s South Carolina win, generate enough momentum to translate into a decisive number of votes across Super Tuesday states, particularly in crucial ones like Texas? The ability to consolidate the moderate vote would be a game-changer for Biden’s campaign, offering him a clear path to challenge Sanders’ progressive base.

The “Super” in Super Tuesday comes from the unprecedented scale of voting happening across the country. Typically, presidential primary contests are spread out over several months, allowing candidates to focus resources on one state at a time. However, on Super Tuesday, the sheer number of simultaneous contests means candidates must stretch their campaigns thin, relying on broad appeal, strong organization, and significant financial backing to compete effectively in so many different locales. For a candidate to be awarded delegates, they typically need to clear a 15% viability threshold in each congressional district or statewide. This proportional allocation system means that even losing candidates can still pick up delegates if they perform well enough, making every vote count. However, candidates who fail to meet this threshold receive no delegates from that specific contest, which can quickly diminish their overall delegate count and narrow their path to the nomination. Super Tuesday acts as an accelerator, quickly clarifying who has broad appeal and who struggles to gain traction outside of specific demographics or regions.

Beyond the leading contenders and their strongholds in California and Texas, other candidates face equally significant tests. Senator Elizabeth Warren desperately needs a strong showing, particularly in her home state of Massachusetts, which offers 91 delegates. A loss or even a weak second-place finish in Massachusetts could critically damage her campaign’s viability and fundraising efforts, especially as she competes for progressive voters with Senator Sanders and for educated, urban voters with Mayor Bloomberg. For Michael Bloomberg, Super Tuesday is the ultimate referendum on his unconventional, self-funded campaign. Having saturated airwaves with advertisements for months, this is his first opportunity to demonstrate whether his strategy of bypassing early primary states and investing heavily in Super Tuesday states can actually translate into delegates. He is hoping to perform well in urban areas and among moderate voters, particularly in states like Virginia (99 delegates) and North Carolina (110 delegates), where Joe Biden is also expected to do well. Meanwhile, Representative Tulsi Gabbard, despite her continued presence in the race, is not expected to win any delegates on Super Tuesday. Her campaign has largely become symbolic, focusing on specific policy issues rather than building a path to the nomination.

Other battleground states on Super Tuesday also deserve attention. Alabama (52 delegates), North Carolina, and Virginia are critical Southern states where Joe Biden’s appeal to African-American voters could secure him a significant delegate haul, following his South Carolina victory. Conversely, states like Colorado (67 delegates) and Utah (29 delegates) may lean more towards Bernie Sanders due to their younger, more progressive voter bases, similar to his success in Nevada. Minnesota (75 delegates), the home state of Senator Amy Klobuchar, presents an interesting dynamic. Her late endorsement of Joe Biden could sway moderate voters in the state, potentially providing him with an unexpected boost against Sanders, who has traditionally performed well in Midwestern states. The diverse political landscapes of these states underscore the varied challenges and opportunities facing each candidate, making Super Tuesday a complex and unpredictable electoral event that will undoubtedly reshape the Democratic field.

Even after the last ballot is cast and the final delegate counts are reported from Super Tuesday, the race for the Democratic nomination will be far from over. However, the outcomes will provide immense clarity. A strong performance by one candidate could establish an undeniable frontrunner, potentially leading to other candidates suspending their campaigns in the following days or weeks. Conversely, if Super Tuesday results in a more fractured outcome, with delegates spread among two or three leading candidates, the primary battle could extend much longer, potentially all the way to the Democratic National Convention. The post-Super Tuesday landscape will shift the focus to the remaining states, the ongoing delegate math, and the broader narrative as the party seeks to coalesce around a nominee who can effectively challenge the incumbent president in the general election. The stakes couldn’t be higher, as the path to the White House begins to truly materialize.

If you missed the chance to vote in your primary because you didn’t register in time, don’t be discouraged. Your voice still matters immensely in the larger democratic process. There’s still plenty of time to register to vote in the general election, which is scheduled for November 3, 2020. This is your opportunity to participate in shaping the future of the country, regardless of who wins the primary. You can ensure your eligibility by filling out the convenient form below: