Super tuesday

24 states had primary elections or assemblies in the 2008 supermarts.
Blue: Only Democrats (3 states),
Red: Only Republicans (2),
Purple: Both (19).

In the United States, the expression «super Tuesday» (in English, Super Tuesday) is the day with the largest number of states in primary elections, as well as the largest number of delegates at stake; therefore, the candidate of one or both parties is decided. The term refers to a specific Tuesday, which is usually in February or March in a presidential election year.

In some states primary elections are held, voting directly for a delegate; in others caucuses are held. In the first case, independent voters can vote, those who can only participate in the vote for one party; in the second case, only the militants participate.

The name "Super Tuesday" has been around at least since 1984, when Walter Mondale was chosen by the Democrats to face President Ronald Reagan. In 1988, Michael Dukakis bested the Reverend Jesse Jackson and the young Senator from Tennessee Al Gore. In 1992, after the Dukakis fiasco in the presidential elections, the governor of Arkansas Bill Clinton emerged, who defeated the former senator from Massachusetts Paul Tsongas. In 1996 it was the Republican camp that had to choose a candidate, and it was Senator Bob Dole from Kansas, who had the populist Pat Buchanan as his greatest rival. In 2000, with both parties seeking a White House nominee, George Walker Bush defeated Arizona Sen. John McCain, and Vice President Gore had no trouble, despite a rocky start, defeating former New York Knicks player Bill Bradley. Finally, in 2004 the Democratic nominee was John Kerry, who had to defeat John Edwards, former Vermont Governor Howard Dean, and retired General Wesley Clark.