ST. PAUL — Minnesota is joining the mass of states holding 2020 primaries on so-called Super Tuesday.

At least nine other states will hold their primaries on March 3, including California and Texas. Minnesota Public Radio reports the date was confirmed Friday, a week before the state’s political parties had to inform the secretary of state’s office.

The change means Minnesota could play a role as the Democratic field of presidential hopefuls is likely to be thinned out.

Super Tuesday states aren’t the first to vote — Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina have their own earlier primary dates — but they are the first big batch.

Next year’s primary election replaces a system in which Minnesota’s parties had expressed presidential preference via a caucus system.