Super Tuesday, the day when the presidential races typically take shape, will see Republicans holding nominating contests in 15 states and Democrats in 15 states and one territory.
President Biden is the front-runner for the Democrats and faces no serious challengers. However, in Minnesota, Rep. Dean Phillips, who has launched a longshot bid against Mr. Biden, could face defeat in his home state. Author Marianne Williamson unsuspended her campaign after finishing ahead of Phillips in the Michigan primary.
Former President Donald Trump leads the Republican nomination race, but former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley remains in contention. While Haley has yet to win any states, she has picked up some delegates along the way.
Hundreds of delegates are at stake for both Democrats and Republicans on Super Tuesday. However, neither Mr. Biden nor Trump will be able to secure the nomination on March 5. CBS News estimates that the earliest Mr. Trump can clinch the nomination is March 12, and the earliest Mr. Biden can is March 19.
Super Tuesday 2024 will see Republicans holding primaries in Alabama, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, and caucuses in Alaska and Utah. Democrats will have primaries in Alabama, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, and caucuses in American Samoa.
The dates for primary elections, including those on Super Tuesday, are determined by state legislatures. Each state submits a proposal for a date to the Democratic and Republican national parties, and the parties approve the dates. Super Tuesday started in 1988 when southern states wanted to coordinate to nominate a more moderate candidate, and other states have since joined to have more influence in the presidential election.
On Super Tuesday, there are 865 Republican delegates up for grabs, and a candidate needs 1,215 delegates out of 2,429 to win the nomination. Here are CBS News' GOP delegate estimates going into Super Tuesday.
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