South Carolina kicked off the race for the Democratic presidential nomination on Saturday with its first official primary of the year. The state holds open primaries, allowing anyone registered to vote in the state to participate. Registered Republican and independent voters who choose to vote in the Democratic primary won't have to change their party affiliations. However, they won't be able to vote in the Republican primary, which will take place on Feb. 24. It's important to note that new voters are no longer able to register for the primary.

Polling places in South Carolina opened at 7 a.m. and closed at 7 p.m. Anyone who was still in line at 7 p.m. was allowed to cast their ballot. For those who requested an absentee ballot but haven't mailed it yet, they can still deliver it in person to a local election office until 7 p.m. The address of the nearest office can be found online. If an absentee ballot has already been mailed, its status can be tracked online to ensure it arrives before the deadline.

South Carolina requires voters to show a photo ID at the polls before they can vote. Acceptable forms of identification include driver's licenses, passports, and voter ID cards with photos. If a voter forgets to bring a photo ID but has a voter registration card without a photo, they can cast a provisional ballot. However, the provisional ballot will only be counted if a photo ID is presented to election officials before Thursday, Feb. 8, when the primary results will be certified.

Only three candidates appeared on the Democratic primary ballot in South Carolina: President Joe Biden, Representative Dean Phillips of Minnesota, and self-help author Marianne Williamson. President Biden, who received a boost last month by winning an unsanctioned primary election in New Hampshire through a grassroots write-in campaign, aims to build on his recent momentum in South Carolina.

The primary in South Carolina is seen as a crucial test of President Biden's support among Black voters, who played a significant role in his primary win in the state four years ago. Biden has credited the voters of South Carolina for putting him in the White House and recognizes their importance in shaping the future of America.

The Republican primary in South Carolina is scheduled for Feb. 24. Former President Donald Trump will face off against Nikki Haley, the former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations and former South Carolina governor. Early voting for the Republican primary will begin on Feb. 12 and end on Feb. 22.

The different dates for the Republican and Democratic primaries in South Carolina are a result of the decisions made by the national parties. The Democratic National Committee moved South Carolina as the first contest in its 2024 primary calendar, citing the state's racially diverse electorate. New Hampshire, which traditionally holds the first primary in the nation, defied the DNC's calendar and held its primary in January. As a result, President Biden, who won as a write-in candidate, won't receive any delegates from New Hampshire. The Republican National Committee kept South Carolina in its usual order after Iowa, New Hampshire, and Nevada for the GOP primary.

Overall, the South Carolina primary marks an important milestone in the race for the Democratic presidential nomination, with President Biden aiming to solidify his support among Black voters and build on his recent successes. The state's open primary system allows for broad participation, and voters are required to show a photo ID at the polls. The primary results will shape the trajectory of the race as the candidates move forward.