Biden's South Carolina Primary

US President Joe Biden looked set for an easy win in the Democratic primary in South Carolina, but there were signs of low turnout in this key test of support among Black voters for his reelection bid.

The southern US state launched Biden's road to the White House in 2020, and he is seeking some of the same magic four years later for a boost ahead of a likely rematch with Republican Donald Trump.

Voters were slow to arrive at a number of polling booths in the historic city of Charleston, with many people apparently viewing Biden's victory in South Carolina as a foregone conclusion.

South Carolina is the first official Democratic primary of 2024 and is seen as a key test of support for US President Joe Biden among Black voters for his reelection battle.

Several voters said Biden's record as president was mostly satisfactory, while admitting there was a lack of enthusiasm for his second term bid -- but that they did not want to see Trump win.

A number of recent polls have shown support for Biden slipping among Black voters, especially youth, amid frustration that he has not addressed their priorities despite them backing him four years ago.

But other polls recently have shown him edging ahead of Trump or neck-and-neck, even if his personal approval ratings remain at low levels not seen by a sitting president for decades.

Biden also pointed to his victory in an unofficial primary in New Hampshire, despite the fact that he was not on the ballot and voters had to write him in.

Biden pushed for South Carolina to be at the front of the Democratic primary this year, above New Hampshire, whose population is almost entirely white.

Turnout will be closely watched in South Carolina, particularly among Black voters -- and if they stay away then Democrats will need to worry.

Democrats have made major campaigning efforts, with Biden visiting twice this year, including to a Charleston church where a racist gunman killed nine parishioners in 2015.