First Votes Cast in Democratic Presidential Nominating Contest

Voters in South Carolina are casting the first official votes in the Democratic presidential nominating contest on Saturday, with President Biden widely expected to win. This event is the first after Democratic National Committee moved South Carolina to the front of the calendar, reflecting its diverse electorate. President Biden's campaign hopes for a strong showing to boost his standing in future state votes and address intraparty doubts about his polling behind former President Trump in a potential general-election matchup. The vote will also gauge Biden's standing among Black voters, who have historically been a significant demographic in the state.