Discover the significance of Super Tuesday and why it holds such importance in the political landscape

Super Tuesday, the most significant day in the 2024 race for the White House, is here. On March 5th, voters in 15 states and one US territory will select candidates for president. In a sixteenth state, we will also see the Democrats’ results. This day will provide insight into the strengths and weaknesses of Joe Biden and Donald Trump as they move closer to a potential rematch in the general election in November. Super Tuesday is when most states hold their presidential primary elections. Nominating contests will take place in Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, and the US territory of American Samoa. The Republican contest will be held in all 15 states, while the Democrats will vote in the same states except Alaska. Caucuses will also be held in American Samoa. Results from the ongoing Democratic contest in Iowa will also be revealed. Delegates are awarded to the top candidates based on the results of each contest. A certain number of delegates are required to officially nominate a candidate at each party’s convention this summer. Super Tuesday will see around one-third of the total delegates up for grabs – 865 Republican and at least 1,420 Democratic delegates. The Trump campaign anticipates winning at least 773 delegates on Super Tuesday and securing the nomination later in March. Trump currently has an estimated 244 delegates, while Nikki Haley, his Republican rival, has 43. A minimum of 1,215 delegates are needed to win the Republican nomination, while 1,968 is the magic number for the Democrats. With a substantial lead in the polls, Trump aims to eliminate his last remaining rival. Former UN envoy Nikki Haley, despite only winning one state so far, remains in the race. Super Tuesday may be her last opportunity to slow down Trump’s momentum. In some contests, Trump has struggled to win over college-educated suburban voters, a demographic crucial for his re-election bid. Joe Biden is likely to secure the Democratic nomination, despite challenges from other candidates. Recent events in Michigan highlighted some voter dissatisfaction, but Biden remains the frontrunner. Last-minute campaigns are being organized in various states for protest votes. Exit polls will reveal if there is an enthusiasm gap among key voter groups, which could impact the election. Results will start coming in as polls close on the east coast in the early evening. The outcome may not be immediately known due to votes being cast in six time zones. US networks are expected to begin calling states from around 8:00 pm ET. All eyes will be on North Carolina, a key battleground state. Trump narrowly won there in 2020. Despite some challenges, Trump remains on the ballot in Colorado and Maine. Several states allow open voting regardless of party registration, which could impact the results. Super Tuesday is projected to be a challenging night for Nikki Haley, but Virginia might offer some hope.