Important national political dates in 2020

2020 is a momentous political year. Here's a calendar of important days in national politics to watch for.

MARCH 3: SUPER TUESDAY

This year the slate of states voting on the same day includes California and Texas — the two biggest sources of delegates, The New York Times says. 

But there are many more states taking part. Primaries also will be held in both major parties on March 3 in Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Utah and Vermont; Virginia will have a Democratic primary, as will Democrats Abroad; and American Samoa will hold a Democratic caucus, according to the Times' election calendar.

JULY 13-16 AND AUG. 24-27: THE CONVENTIONS

In 2020, the two parties have chosen host cities in states that will may be up for grabs in the fall: Wisconsin and North Carolina.

The Democratic National Convention will be held in mid-July in Milwaukee. In late August, Charlotte will be the site of the Republican National Convention.

"Wisconsin is obviously very important for the Democrats, having narrowly lost it in 2016, and so it's not surprising that Democrats are looking to bolster their support" in a state they need to win in November, Bose said.  

SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER: THE PRESIDENTIAL DEBATES

The debates are scheduled for Sept. 29 at the University of Notre Dame, Oct. 15 at the University of Michigan and Oct. 22 at Belmont University in Nashville.

It is unclear if Trump will participate. He attacked the organization that oversees the debates, declaring in December, "The problem is that the so-called Commission on Presidential Debates is stacked with Trump Haters & Never Trumpers."

NOV. 3: ELECTION DAY

When all is said and done, the campaign will come down to the battleground states that will decide the Electoral College.

Said Bose: "The magic number for the 2020 presidential race is 270."