When is the next Republican primary? A guide to the 2024 election schedule

While the 2024 general election may seem like a distant reality, primary season is just around the corner. With another fierce election cycle already underway, a quickly narrowing field of candidates on the Republican side are vying for a shot at the Oval Office.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis dropped out of the presidential race to endorse former President Donald Trump, leaving supporters of former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley bracing for a nailbiter primary season. Trump led Haley 55% to 36% in a Suffolk University/Boston Globe/NBC-10 tracking poll conducted in the state between January 18 and January 19.

Here's what you need to know about the Republican primary in your state.

What is a caucus?

Some states hold primaries, while others opt for a caucus. While a primary election is run by state and local governments, a caucus is run by political parties. A traditional primary election resembles the general election with voting taking place via private ballot.

A caucus however involves voters dividing themselves into groups based on the candidate they prefer and arguing for others to join them. At the end of the caucus, the number of members in each group determines how many delegates that candidate gets.

Up for grabs in each caucus and primary is a certain number of delegates. The delegates are sent to each party's national convention, and the candidate with the majority secures the nomination.

Election results: 2024 Presidential Primary Delegate Tracker

January 15

• Iowa (caucus)

January 23

• New Hampshire

February 8

• Nevada (caucus)

• Virgin Islands (caucus)

February 24

• South Carolina

February 27

• Michigan

March 2

• Idaho (caucus)

• Missouri (caucus)

March 3

• Washington D.C.

March 4

• North Dakota (caucus)

March 5

• Alabama

• Alaska (caucus)

• Arkansas

• California

• Colorado

• Maine

• Massachusetts

• Minnesota

• North Carolina

• Oklahoma

• Tennessee

• Texas

• Utah (caucus)

• Vermont

• Virginia

March 12

• Georgia

• Hawaii (caucus)

• Mississippi

• Washington

March 19

• Arizona

• Florida

• Illinois

• Kansas

• Ohio

March 23

• Louisiana

April 2

• Connecticut

• Delaware

• New York

• Rhode Island

• Wisconsin

April 23

• Pennsylvania

May 7

• Indiana

May 14

• Maryland

• Nebraska

• West Virginia

May 21

• Kentucky

• Oregon

June 4

• Montana

• New Jersey

• New Mexico

• South Dakota

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When is the next primary? 2024 Presidential Primary Election Schedule By Date

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: When is the next Republican primary election? The 2024 schedule