Columbia, South Carolina – The Democratic primary election in South Carolina is in full swing, with over 52,000 early votes already cast and a deadline for voter registration in January. Unlike some states, South Carolina does not have voter registration by party, but participants in the Democratic election cannot vote in the Republican election on Feb. 24. The polls are set to close at 7 p.m. Eastern time with results expected soon after, similar to the outcome of the 2020 election where about 98 percent of votes were reported by midnight.
The primary is the first 2024 Democratic contest that will award delegates, a change to the calendar that has historically placed Iowa and New Hampshire first. The state offered two weeks of early voting, and those with valid excuses were allowed to vote absentee by mail. This represents an effort to increase voter participation and accessibility to the democratic process.
New Hampshire already held its primary on Jan. 23, but no delegates were awarded. This leaves South Carolina as the first to allocate delegates in the 2024 Democratic contest. With such a historic position in the primaries, the stakes are high for the candidates competing in South Carolina.
Given the high voter turnout and the significance of being the first state to award delegates, the South Carolina primary is attracting significant attention from politicians, pundits, and voters alike. The outcome of the primary is anticipated to have a major impact on the trajectory of the Democratic presidential race, making it a crucial event in the political calendar. As the nation anticipates the results, all eyes are on South Carolina as a key player in shaping the future of the 2024 Democratic contest.