The Democratic race is moving south as voters in South Carolina have their say on who should be the party’s White House nominee.
We’re still a long way off knowing who will take on Donald Trump in the autumn, but after the three contests so far – Iowa, New Hampshire and Nevada – Senator Bernie Sanders leads, trailed by ex-mayor Pete Buttigieg.
Former Vice-President Joe Biden is looking at the state – and its African-American voters in particular – as a life raft for his foundering campaign.
Whoever wins on Saturday evening will gain both delegates and crucial momentum into the spring.
Here’s what to look out for in the next leg of the 2020 election.
A quick refresher
It’s primary season in America.
Starting with the Iowa caucuses in February, all the way to a Puerto Rico primary in June, the party nominee will be chosen through a series of contests in every US state and territory.
- A simple guide to US primaries and caucuses
- The Democratic 2020 race – in five charts
In all likelihood, the Republican nominee will be Trump. But for Democrats, it’s still a toss-up. The remaining eight candidates are hoping to win an unbeatable majority of 1,990 delegates nationwide – awarded through caucuses and primaries – to guarantee their nomination.
South Carolina’s voters will cast the final votes before so-called Super Tuesday next week, when a third of delegates will be chosen.
