On the 5th (local time), the U.S. Democratic and Republican parties began their presidential primary races on "Super Tuesday." Once this large-scale delegate contest concludes, it is expected to confirm the rematch election scenario between Democratic President Joe Biden and former Republican President Donald Trump.
The Democratic Party held primaries in 14 states including California and North Carolina, and caucuses in American Samoa on the same day. Iowa released the results of its caucus conducted via mail-in voting on this day.
Democratic candidates include President Biden, Representative Dean Phillips, and candidate Marianne Williamson.
The Republican Party conducted primaries in 13 locations including California and North Carolina, and caucuses in Alaska and Utah.
On the Republican side, former President Trump is competing against former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley.
Voting began at 7 a.m. Eastern Time and is expected to conclude around midnight.
Currently, both President Biden and former President Trump hold overwhelming leads, so once voting ends and counting begins in each state, the winners are expected to be determined shortly thereafter.
On Super Tuesday, the Democrats will allocate 1,420 delegates, while the Republicans will allocate 865 delegates.
Most states distribute delegates on a winner-takes-all basis.
President Biden needs to secure 1,968 of the 3,934 Democratic delegates to be confirmed as the party’s presidential nominee. He currently holds 206 delegates. Representative Phillips and others have yet to secure any delegates.
Former President Trump must obtain 1,215 of the 2,429 Republican delegates. He currently has 247 delegates, more than his competitor, former Ambassador Haley, who has 43.
There is a possibility that former Ambassador Haley may withdraw if she loses on Super Tuesday.
The Democratic and Republican parties will officially confirm their presidential nominees at their national conventions in July and August.
However, analysis suggests that based on the Super Tuesday results, candidates Biden and Trump could be decided early.
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