South Carolina Democratic primary elections 2024: Key dates, candidates, and voting procedures explained

The 2024 South Carolina Democratic Presidential Primary, scheduled for February 3, 2024, is an essential event in the political calendar, marking a significant stage in the Democratic Party’s nomination process for the presidential election. Here’s a breakdown of key dates, candidates, and voting procedures:

Key Dates

• Voter Registration Deadline: To participate in the Democratic Presidential Primary, voters needed to register by January 4, 2024.
• Early Voting: The early voting period for the Democratic Presidential Primary began on January 22 and ended on February 2, 2024, with early voting centers open from 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
• Election Day: The Primary will be held on February 3, 2024, with polls open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Candidates

The South Carolina Democratic Party’s presidential primary filing period closed on November 10, 2023. The following candidates were certified to participate in the primary:

• President Joe Biden
• Congressman Dean Phillips
• Marianne Williamson

Also Read: Why is Nikki Haley not on the ballot in the GOP’s caucus in Nevada?

Two individuals, Eban Cambridge and Cenk Uygur, filed but were not certified for the South Carolina Democratic Party presidential primary ballot due to incomplete candidate filing and not meeting constitutional requirements, respectively.

Voting Procedures

Voters in South Carolina had several options for casting their ballots:

• Early Voting: This was available at any early voting center in the voter’s county.
• Absentee Voting: Qualified voters, such as those with physical disabilities or aged 65 or older, could vote absentee by mail.
• Election Day Voting: Voters could cast their ballots at their designated polling place on election day, ensuring they brought the required Photo ID.
• Finding Results: Election results were made available on the South Carolina Election Commission’s website.

Also Read: Why is Nikki Haley not on the ballot in the GOP’s caucus in Nevada?

This primary was a crucial step in the Democratic Party’s process for selecting its presidential candidate, with South Carolina playing a pivotal role due to its early primary date. The results of this primary were expected to influence the momentum of the candidates in subsequent primaries and caucuses across the United States​​​​​​.