In South Carolina, Hillary Clinton looks to win, and win big

One voter tells us consistency is key for him when supporting Sanders. Twenty-nine superdelegates are also available, more than half of whom already back Clinton, although they can switch their allegiance to Sanders if his momentum picks up.

Markos Young, of suburban Columbia, said he recently went to hear Hillary Clinton at an event in Columbia and “felt more connected to her” on issues such as racial disparities, health care and tuition.

He noted his wife first came to SC to help end the practice of putting African-American teenagers in prison with adults. Sanders himself moved on to other states in the run up to Saturday’s primary, while Clinton continued to campaign daily there.

Johne Sparkman, 19, a SC state speech pathology major, also cited Sanders’ authenticity in describing his appeal. Bernie Sanders’ 31.7 percent. There was nothing in the national media. He flashed his wide, toothy grin, as if to know, fully, where he was: In a state where few know him and where he will be happy to walk away with a loss in the single digits.

She, too, has visited Flint and speaks of it often in the South – doing so again Friday in Atlanta, where she campaigned with the city’s black mayor, Kasim Reed.

Clinton and Sanders have made aggressive efforts to court black voters, who account for 55 percent of registered Democrats in the state.

Observers say there are a number of reasons Mr Sanders has failed to find traction here.

“She’ll say anything to get votes”. They say she has the experience to lead the country, and the ability to beat the Republicans in November.

“I think if he cuts it to below 20 percent, that’s positive”, Harpootlian said. “Plus, I just think what he’s saying is more honest”. Republicans who voted in the GOP primary can’t also vote in the Democratic one. By the time Florida holds its primary, Clinton will have what many believe will be an insurmountable advantage.

Eight years ago, former President Bill Clinton was viewed by some as questioning the legitimacy of the black presidential contender – Obama. And South Carolina will be the first test of whether her campaign has energized black voters enough that they will do just that. Thirty-five delegates are awarded based on finishes in each of the Palmetto State’s seven congressional districts, another 11 are considered at-large delegates won based on statewide finish, while the final seven are other party leaders and officials (to be named later) who are still bound by the results of the primary. That year, about 23 percent of registered voters cast ballots in the Democrats’ presidential primary. Eleven states still holding nominating contests on Tuesday, including several with large percentages of black voters, such as Georgia, Alabama and Virginia. When he spoke last Saturday after losing in Nevada, he said the campaign would move on to Super Tuesday – not mentioning SC, something Loveday said “disappointed” and “frustrated some folks” in the state.

Sanders is engaged in a herculean task in SC to show he’s made inroads with black voters, said Bruce Ransom, political science professor at Clemson University. When the race moved to SC, her campaign hoped her husband’s goodwill with the black community would be a silver bullet.

Anyone who is even casually following the Democratic primary race knows that Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton are fighting for the Black vote.

Polls opened at 7 a.m. and will close 12 hours later, at 7 p.m.