South Carolina Democrats Voted to Support Biden in Primaries
South Carolina Democrats turned out to the polls this Saturday with a clear intent to support US President Joe Biden in the party primaries. However, their underlying sentiments of aversion to Republican Donald Trump and concerns about the economy were palpable as well.
The vote in favor of Biden was, in part, an expression of rejection of Trump, who is a favorite to be the Republican candidate in the upcoming elections. Despite not being on the ballot for the Democratic Party primary, Trump’s presence loomed over the voting process.
South Carolina inaugurated the Democratic primary process this Saturday, with Biden assured of victory but facing the challenge of mobilizing the party’s base, especially African-American voters. Turnout numbers will be essential in assessing enthusiasm for Biden’s candidacy.
At the Eau Claire Institute in Columbia, the state capital, participation remained “constant” throughout the day, with approximately 120 people voting by midday. The figures were in line with previous occasions, according to Rosalyn Shaw, the person in charge of the polling center.
Deborah Seawright, a 68-year-old African American and former teacher, praised Biden’s “excellent job” since taking office in January 2021. She expressed pride in having a “family man” like Biden representing the United States. In contrast, she criticized Trump for his “inappropriate” and “ethically questionable” actions.
Many voters echoed Seawright’s sentiments, citing their rejection of Trump and concern about the economy as the driving forces behind their trip to the polls.
The electorate at Eau Claire High School, a middle-class neighborhood, consisted mostly of older African Americans. Older voters tend to be more loyal to the Democratic party due to their memories of the party’s support for the civil rights movement in the 1960s.
Sakal Fourir, a 26-year-old voter, expressed his concern for issues such as health and the economy, emphasizing a better future for new generations.
“I came here to vote so that everyone has a positive life in the future. We do it for our families and for the children who are growing up in this world, so that they can live successfully and shine in their future,” Fourir said.
The voting centers closed at 7:00 p.m., and media screenings began shortly after. The first results are expected to arrive within a few minutes.