It feels like we just finished cleaning up the confetti and muted the last of the campaign ads, but here we are. You’re asking: when is the next presidential election? Mark your calendar. November 7, 2028.
That is the date. Specifically, it's the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November, as per a law that dates back to 1845. It’s a rhythmic part of American life, every four years, like clockwork. But even though we’re in early 2026, the gears are already turning in ways that most people aren't even watching yet.
Why the 2028 cycle is already getting weird
The 2024 election was a bit of a whirlwind, wasn't it? Since Donald Trump was inaugurated in January 2025, the conversation has shifted toward who comes next. Usually, a sitting president is a shoo-in for their party's nomination for a second term. Not this time.
Because Trump is currently serving his second term (non-consecutive, of course), the 22nd Amendment says he’s done. He cannot be elected to a third term. That makes 2028 an "open seat" election for both major parties. That's a rare and somewhat chaotic situation. We haven't had a truly open field with no incumbent on either ticket since 2008.
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Honestly, the jockeying has already begun. You might have seen the "Trump 2028" hats he’s been playfully showing off in meetings, but legally, that's a no-go for the presidency.
The timeline you actually need to know
People think elections happen in November. They don’t. They happen over two years of exhaustion, debates, and local gymnasiums.
- Mid-2026: This is when the serious "testing the waters" happens. Potential candidates start forming leadership PACs. They visit Iowa and New Hampshire for "no reason at all" other than to eat fried food and talk to locals.
- Early 2027: Expect the big announcements. If someone hasn't declared by the spring of 2027, they’re basically behind the curve on fundraising.
- January - June 2028: The Primaries. This is where the parties fight internally to see who survives.
- Summer 2028: The Conventions. This is mostly a big TV show now, but it's where the nominees are made official.
- November 7, 2028: The General Election.
Who is actually running?
Nobody "official" from the big leagues has filed their paperwork yet, but come on. We know who's looking at the mirror and seeing a president.
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On the Republican side, Vice President JD Vance is the obvious frontrunner in early polls. A February 2025 CPAC straw poll had him at 61%. But names like Marco Rubio, Ron DeSantis, and even Eric Trump are floating around the rumor mill.
For the Democrats, the field is wide open. Gavin Newsom and Kamala Harris are the two names that keep popping up in the polls. According to YouGov data from late 2025, about 55% of Democrats would consider Newsom. But there’s a whole bench of governors like Josh Shapiro, Gretchen Whitmer, and Andy Beshear who are probably checking their flight schedules to Des Moines as we speak.
A quick note on the rules
To be the one winning on November 7, 2028, a candidate has to meet the basics. 35 years old. Natural-born citizen. Lived in the US for 14 years. It sounds simple, but the Electoral College makes the math hard. You need 270 electoral votes.
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If you live in a "swing state" like Pennsylvania, Michigan, or Arizona, prepare yourself. You’re going to get a lot of phone calls in about two years.
Don't forget the 2026 Midterms
Before we get to the big show, we have the 2026 midterms. These are huge. They happen on November 3, 2026.
These elections determine who controls Congress for the last two years of the current term. If the Democrats gain ground, it changes the leverage. If Republicans hold, it’s a different story. These results often dictate which presidential candidates feel "safe" enough to run in 2028.
Actionable steps for the savvy voter
- Check your registration now. Don't wait until October 2028. Many states have a 30-day cutoff. If you’ve moved since the last election, your registration might be invalid.
- Watch the governors. Presidential candidates usually come from the Senate or Governor mansions. Pay attention to how people like Shapiro (PA) or DeSantis (FL) are handling their state budgets—it's their resume for the national stage.
- Ignore the 2025/2026 polls. Seriously. Polls this early are just name-recognition contests. They don't mean much until the first debate in late 2027.
- Mark the calendar. November 7, 2028. That's the finish line.
Keep an eye on the 2026 midterms first. They are the "canary in the coal mine" for how the country is feeling before the next presidential election cycle truly kicks into high gear.
Next Steps for You:
Check your current voter registration status through your state’s Secretary of State website to ensure you’re ready for the 2026 midterms, as these often serve as the first major hurdle before the 2028 presidential race.