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What is the significance of this day in the 2024 US elections?

What is the significance of this day in the 2024 US elections?

Trump won eight states in 2016 and nearly every Republican presidential nominating contest this year.

A voter takes a sticker after casting their vote during early voting, one day before the Super Tuesday primary election, at the San Francisco City Hall voting center in San Francisco, California, USA, March 4 2024. – Reuters

The phrase “Super Tuesday” has been making headlines in the United States for the past week, but why is Tuesday talked about so much and why do people look forward to it?

According CBS NewsSuper Tuesday, March 5, is when the largest number of states will hold presidential primaries or caucuses. More than a third of all delegates available for the Republican and Democratic nominations are at stake on Super Tuesday.

President Joe Biden leads the Democratic nomination without any major primary challenge, while former President Donald Trump leads former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley in the race for the Republican nomination.

While Republicans are concerned that Trump faces federal and state charges in Washington, Florida, New York and Georgia, and the number of trials is still unknown, Democratic concerns include Biden's age, his handling of the conflict between Israel and Hamas and voter apathy.

Republican presidential candidate and former U.S. President Donald Trump reacts on stage during a campaign rally in Richmond, Virginia, the United States, March 2, 2024. – Reuters

How Super Tuesday works

Registered voters in 15 states, including Alabama, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont and Virginia, will vote on March 5.

Additionally, Alaska and Utah will hold caucuses.

A voter casts her ballot during early voting, a day before the Super Tuesday primary election, at the San Francisco City Hall voting center in San Francisco, California, U.S., March 4, 2024. – Reuters

Of these 15 Republican primaries, 11 are open to more than just registered Republicans.

Trump won eight states in 2016 and nearly every GOP presidential election this year, losing only the D.C. Republican primary to Haley, demonstrating his dominance in the race.

The Democratic primaries will be held in the same states, except Alaska and American Samoa. By contrast, the Iowa caucuses were held by mail in January and results are expected to be released Tuesday.