(CNN) – A new nationwide CNN/ORC poll finds Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton well ahead of their closest competitors just as the race expands to a national stage.
Super Tuesday is March 1 and refers to the day when a dozen states hold their nominating contests.
So why does it matter so much?
“Super Tuesday” is a chance for candidates to get a very large number of delegates to the Democratic and Republican nominating conventions.
Twelve states will either vote or caucus. About half of them are in the south, which is why you’ll also hear this called the “SEC Primary. It tales the name from the “Southeast Conference,” an association of southern universities that may be best known for its football rivalries.
The U.S. territory of American Samoa will also hold its caucus on Super Tuesday.
There are more delegates up for grabs on “Super Tuesday” than any other day of the calendar. That one day offers nearly half, fully 48 percent of what’s needed to win for Republicans and more than a third, or 36 percent, for Democrats.
Super Tuesday will probably not decide the race for Republicans because of the number of candidates still in the race. They split the vote too many ways for a clear, fast win.
But it could have a significant impact on the Democratic race between Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders.
