Polls close at 7 p.m. Eastern time. In 2020, results began to come in soon after, and about 98 percent of votes had been reported by midnight. South Carolina does not have voter registration by party, but those who participate in the Democratic election may not vote in the Republican election on Feb. 24. Voter registration deadlines were in January.

The state offered two weeks of early voting, and those with valid excuses were allowed to vote absentee by mail. More than 52,000 voters had already cast their ballots as of Friday.

The primary is the first 2024 Democratic contest that will award delegates, a change to the calendar that has historically placed Iowa and New Hampshire first. New Hampshire went ahead with its primary on Jan. 23, but no delegates were awarded.