Biden initially wins primaries in South Carolina

As of 3:30 AM Kyiv time, Biden is securing 96.5% of the voter's support. Marianne Williamson is in second place with 1.9%, followed by Dean Phillips with 1.4%. Thus, the current president's competitors have slim chances of obtaining at least 15% of the votes statewide or 15% in any congressional district, which is the threshold required to earn delegates.

The Democratic Party decided to hold its first primaries in the state of South Carolina. Black residents make up 26% of the state's population, and they represent a significant part of the political power's electoral base.

The victorious results shortly after the polls closed in the state gave Biden the initial set of delegates needed to secure the Democratic Party nomination at the party's convention in August.

The symbol of victory over Trump

In a statement released by Biden's campaign, he referred to his victory in the primaries as a crucial step toward triumphing over Donald Trump in the presidential elections in November.

The statement conveyed that the stakes in the election could not be higher, expressing concern about extreme and dangerous voices in the country led by Donald Trump, with the intention to divide the nation and take it backward. It emphasized the importance of not allowing such a scenario. Furthermore, it pointed out the progress made over the past four years, highlighting that America currently possesses the world's most powerful economy and the lowest inflation among major economies. The statement urged to continue moving forward and to finish what was started together.

In a brief video address, Biden thanked supporters for the victory and urged them to march toward success in the final elections in November 2024.

South Carolina, thank you for everything. pic.twitter.com/AaPEHljet9

— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) February 4, 2024

In January, voters in the state of New Hampshire gave victory in the primaries to Biden, even though he did not participate in the campaign.

What are primaries

Primaries, or pre-elections, are a type of voting where the political party selects a single candidate. The winner of the party's internal elections later competes against candidates from other parties in the general elections.

The purpose of primary elections is to ensure that candidates from the same party do not take away votes from each other in the general elections, as their voter base is usually similar in preferences.

In the U.S., the first primary elections were held in 1842. Florida was the first state to enact a law on primary voting in 1901.

Until 1936, primaries were only held in nine states. Subsequently, primaries became widespread across the majority of states.

Various voting systems and multi-stage schemes are used during the vote count. In 11 states in the U.S., instead of primaries, party conferences or party referendums known as caucuses are held.

Presidential elections in the U.S.

The presidential elections in the U.S. are scheduled for November 5, 2024.

According to forecasts, the leading candidate for the Democrats may be the incumbent American leader, Joe Biden. At the same time, there is a good chance that Donald Trump could be the Republican candidate.

On December 20, 2023, the Colorado Supreme Court prohibited Trump from participating in the primaries in the state under the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. It forbids the participation in elections of organizers and participants in an insurrection, which the court recognized in the Capitol siege by Trump supporters on January 6, 2021.

The team of the former president has appealed this decision to the U.S. Supreme Court. Judges have already begun consideration, and the decision is expected on February 8; it will likely apply nationwide.

In late December, Trump's name was also removed from the ballot in the primaries in the state of Maine.

Meanwhile, Joe Biden and Donald Trump have gained leadership in the primaries in the state of New Hampshire.