The Democratic National Committee approved the Delegate Selection Rules for the 2016 Democratic National Convention on 15 December 2014.

The party set dates for the pre-window states: Iowa-- may begin no earlier than 1 February 2016, New Hampshire-- 9 February 2016, Nevada-- 20 February 2016, and South Carolina-- 27 February 2016. The pre-windows states are designated with a ‡ in the table below. All other states may begin on 1 March 2016 (Stage I).

Delegate selection primaries, caucuses, and conventions will begin on the first Tuesday in March (Stage I - 1 March 2016). The Democrats will award states who begin their process in April (Stage II) with a 10% bonus. For those beginning in May or June (Stage III), a 20% bonus. Starting on the Tuesday 22 March 2016 (Stage I cluster), a 15% bonus is awarded when clusters of 3 or more neighboring states begin on the same date.

The Democratic jurisdictions are listed below in chronological order according to their "First Determining Step". Many of these events are primaries whose dates are established by state law.

Circa or presumably-- an unofficial date. An unconfirmed Presidential Primary established by currently-effective State statute or introduced bill; or- where the foregoing information could not be obtained- the state's prior delegate selection process and associated dates adjusted to the corresponding dates in the current year.

‡ Pre-window state.