Historic “first in the nation” Democratic primary kicked off Monday

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD)- Early voting for the 2024 Democratic primary election has started.

It’s a historic time for South Carolina voters.

“This is the first state that will be voting in the presidential primaries,” Charleston County Elections Director, Isaac Cramer said.

On February 3 South Carolina will hold the first in the nation Democratic primaries for the 2024 presidential election, just weeks later on February 24, we’ll hold the first in the South Republican primaries

Cramer said, “It’s exciting. The eyes will be on us, the spotlight will be on us.”

With polls opening today, Cramer says the turnout has been low.

They’re hoping to see the numbers go up as time goes on.

“I just think there hasn’t been a lot of attention on early voting for the Democratic presidential primary, a lot of people are talking about the republican primary,” Cramer said.

Cramer says primaries also have a low turnout within young voters but wants to encourage those 18-24 to make the time.

“A lot of young people aren’t aware of voting to begin with. We usually see low turnout our 18-24 population, even up to 35. One of the things is, does my vote really matter? Elections do have consequences, elections do matter for us, it’s your voice,” Cramer said.

Officials say voters should remember to bring a valid ID to the polls

Berkeley County Elections Director, Rosie Brown, says something to remember for the South Carolina primaries, is that you don’t have to be registered to a certain party to vote, but you do have to choose one primary to vote in.

“If you vote in the democratic preference primary you cannot vote in the Republican primary,” Brown said.

Elections directors say they have had to consolidate some of the polling locations across the Lowcountry, so make sure to double-check where you go to cast your vote.

You can do that on scvotes.gov.