COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Hillary Clinton is hoping for a big win in today’s Democratic primary in South Carolina, while her rival Bernie Sanders is shifting his focus to next week’s multi-state contests.
An impressive victory for Clinton would help wipe away the bitter memories of her 2008 primary loss to Barack Obama in the first-in-the-South contest, and establish her as the firm favorite among black voters, a crucial segment of the Democratic electorate.
Sanders’ wife, Jane, a top adviser to his campaign expressed optimism about his chances on Tuesday, when Democrats will vote in 11 states and American Samoa, with 865 delegates up for grabs. She says she thinks Sanders and Clinton will “split the vote.”
Today Sanders has scheduled events in Texas and Minnesota, two of the states voting on Super Tuesday.
Meanwhile, election officials say the turnout for the South Carolina presidential primary has been light so far.
South Carolina Election spokesman Chris Whitmire says there have not been any reported problems with voting and that the commission usually hears if there have been long lines or other issues.
State Democratic leaders say that between 350,000 and 400, 000 voters may go to the polls. Last week, a record 740, 000 voters cast ballots in the six-way GOP primary in the state.
Voters in the state can choose which primary they want to participate in, but can’t vote in both.
