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Young Democrats · Sumter · Lee · Clarendon
I'M WITH
DEM
GALA
A Movement. A Message. A Future.
📅 July 24, 2025 🕕 6:00 PM 📍 Opera House, Bishopville SC
Get Your Tickets → Full Gala Details

Not just here for the Gala? Join our chapter →

🎟️ Ticket & Sponsorship Levels
Choose Your Experience
General Admission
Admission · Keynote · Dinner
$100
Most Popular
VIP Reception
VIP Pre-Reception · Preferred Seating
$250
Bronze Sponsor
2 VIP Tickets · Program Listing
$1K
Secure Your Seat Tonight →
#IMWITHDEM
🌴 Register to Vote 🫏 Get Involved 🌴 Sumter County 🫏 Lee County 🌴 Clarendon County 🫏 SC Strong 🌴 South Carolina 🫏 Register. Organize. Win. 🌴 Register to Vote 🫏 Get Involved 🌴 Sumter County 🫏 Lee County 🌴 Clarendon County 🫏 SC Strong 🌴 South Carolina 🫏 Register. Organize. Win.
Why We Fight

The Numbers Tell the Story.

South Carolina deserves better. Here's what we're up against — and why the Young Democrats of Sumter, Lee & Clarendon are organizing every single day.

SC Minimum Wage
$7.25
Unchanged since 2009. That's 17 years. Everything else has nearly doubled.
SC Teacher Pay Ranking
50th
Dead last in the nation. We're losing our best teachers across the border every year.
Annual Childcare Cost in SC
$10K+
More than in-state college tuition. Families can't afford to work.
SC Education Ranking
43rd
43rd in the nation in overall education. Our students deserve better.
Who We Are
From
Here.

We are young people from Sumter, Clarendon, and Lee County — communities that shaped us, raised us, and gave us everything we are. We didn't come here from somewhere else. This is home. And home deserves people fighting for it.

From high school seniors casting their first vote to college students to young working adults trying to make ends meet — if you've ever felt like politics wasn't made for people like you, this organization was made for people like you.

These three counties have deep roots, proud histories, and people who show up for each other every single day. We're carrying that same spirit into the political arena — organizing our communities, registering our neighbors, and making sure young South Carolinians have a real seat at the table.

"We show up for our communities first. The politics follows."
SC Forward

What We're
Fighting For.

Three things that matter most to young people and families across Sumter, Clarendon, and Lee County — in plain language.

🏠
Affordability
Housing · Childcare · Healthcare
$10K+
Annual childcare cost in SC — more than in-state college tuition

A full-time SC worker earning minimum wage cannot afford average rent in any major SC city. 300,000+ SC workers qualify for Medicaid and are being denied it.

Affordable housing for working families
Accessible, affordable childcare
Medicaid expansion — now
Lower everyday costs
💵
Jobs & Wages
Fair Pay · Good Jobs · Workers' Rights
$7.25
SC minimum wage — unchanged since 2009. That's 17 years.

Everything else has nearly doubled since 2009. SC workers deserve a raise. And they deserve good jobs right here — not just in Charlotte or Atlanta.

$15 minimum wage
Good jobs in every county — including rural areas
Investment in trade & technical training
Protect workers' rights
📚
Education
Teachers · Schools · Colleges
50th
SC ranks dead last in teacher salaries — out of all 50 states

SC teachers start at $47,000 while Georgia and North Carolina start at $55,000+. We're losing our best educators across the border every single year.

Raise teacher starting pay to $55,000+
Fix the inequitable school funding formula
Strengthen colleges & universities
Broadband in every school and home
Our Home

From These
Three Counties.

Three counties with deep roots, proud histories, and communities that have always shown up for each other. That's the South Carolina we're proud to represent.

🌴
Sumter County

Home to Shaw Air Force Base, a proud college legacy, and working families with deep community ties. Sumter is a city of service, history, and heart — and we're proud to call it home base.

🫏
Clarendon County

The birthplace of the civil rights movement's education fight — Briggs v. Elliott was filed right here. Clarendon County has always been ground zero for justice. We carry that legacy forward.

🌴
Lee County

A close-knit community where neighbors look out for each other and family ties run deep. Lee County's people are its greatest strength — and they deserve leadership that reflects that.

Get Out There

Upcoming Events

Full Calendar →
JUL
18
Brunch

I'm With DEM Soulful Brunch

Faith. Fellowship. Food. Forward Progress. Community brunch open to all.

🕙 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM📍 Hickory Grove Baptist Church, Turbeville SC
🗳️ Voter Registration On-Site
JUL
24
⭐ Gala
I'M WITH
DEM
GALA

An unforgettable evening of purpose, progress & power. Join community leaders and changemakers for a night that builds South Carolina's future.

🕕 6:00 PM · VIP Reception 5:00 PM
📍 Opera House, Bishopville SC
👗 Black Tie Optional
🎟️ GA $100 ⭐ VIP $250 🏅 Bronze $1,000
#IMWITHDEM · #YDSLC2026
JUL
25
Back to School

I'm With DEM Back to School Bash — Clarendon

Free community event to help students prepare for a successful school year. Families receive free school supplies, free lunch, gas card giveaway for parents, and community resources.

🕙 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM📍 Walker Gamble Park, New Zion SC
🎤 Guest Speakers: TBA
🎒 Free School Supplies 🍽️ Free Lunch ⛽ Gas Card Giveaway
RSVP Now — Free Event →
JUL
25
Back to School

I'm With DEM Back to School Bash — Sumter

Free food, free school supplies & gas card giveaway! Special guest & announcements soon. Keion Mack, Leadership Partner.

🕓 4:00 – 7:00 PM📍 South Side Resource Center, Sumter SC
🗳️ Voter Registration On-Site
JUL
26
Back to School

I'm With DEM Back to School Bash — Lee County

Free food, free school supplies & gas card giveaway! Come celebrate the new school year.

🕓 4:00 – 6:30 PM📍 Lamar Resource Center, Lamar SC
🗳️ Voter Registration On-Site
AUG
8
Brunch

I'm With DEM Soulful Brunch

Faith. Fellowship. Food. Forward Progress. Community brunch open to all.

🕙 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM📍 South Side Resource Center, Sumter SC
🗳️ Voter Registration On-Site
AUG
22
Brunch

I'm With DEM Soulful Brunch — Lee County

Faith. Fellowship. Food. Forward Progress. Community brunch open to all.

🕙 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM📍 Lee County (Location TBA)
🗳️ Voter Registration On-Site
SEP
12
⛳ Golf Tournament
I'M WITH
DEM
CHARITY GOLF TOURNAMENT

Drive Change. Putt Purpose. Build Community. A day of great golf and even greater impact.

🕖 Check In 7:00 AM · Start 8:00 AM
📍 Crystal Lakes Golf Course, Sumter SC
⛳ Individual $100 👥 Foursome $400 🦅 Eagle $1,000
#IMWITHDEM · #YDSLC2026

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Get Involved

The Movement
Starts Where
You Are.

Open to all young people in Sumter, Clarendon, and Lee County — and beyond. Ages 16–35. No prior political experience needed. Just a love for your community and a desire to make South Carolina better.

Voter registration drives and community events
Canvassing, phone banking, social media organizing
Leadership training — we develop our own
County Captain roles open in all three counties
Can only give 2 hours a month? There's a role for you

Join Young Dems of Sumter, Lee & Clarendon

Someone will reach out within 48 hours.

Make It Count

Voter Resources

Everything you need to make your voice heard in SC — from registering to finding your polling place.

📝

Register to Vote

Step-by-step guide to SC voter registration. Deadlines, eligibility, everything you need.

Register Now →
📍

Find Your Polling Place

Look up your polling location for Sumter, Clarendon, and Lee counties before election day.

Find My Polling Place →
📅

Election Dates & Deadlines

Stay ahead of registration deadlines, primary dates, and general election schedules in SC.

View Calendar →
🪪

Voter ID Requirements

What ID do you need to bring on election day under South Carolina state law?

Learn More →
📬

Absentee Voting

Can't make it to the polls? Learn how to request and submit your absentee ballot in SC.

Absentee Info →
🙋

Volunteer at the Polls

Help your neighbors vote. Sign up to volunteer at registration drives and on election day.

Sign Up →
🎓

Student Voters

College student in SC? Learn how to register, where to vote, and your rights as a student voter in South Carolina.

Student Voter Info →
🗳️

November 3, 2026 — General Election

Election Day
Tuesday, November 3, 2026
Polls open 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM
⚠️ Last Day to Register
October 4, 2026
Don't miss the deadline — register today
The Movement in Real Time

News & Updates

All Posts →
Member Spotlight
Meet Jasmine — why she joined YDS at 19
June 10, 2026
County Spotlight
Why Clarendon County matters — and always has
June 5, 2026
Platform
$7.25 hasn't moved since 2009. We're moving it.
May 28, 2026
Organizing
What "show up before you ask" actually looks like
May 20, 2026
Stay Connected

Stay in the Loop

Chapter updates, event alerts, and voting reminders straight to your inbox. No spam — just movement news from your three counties.

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Reach Out

We'd Love to Hear From You

Questions about membership, events, County Captain roles, or how to get involved? Our team responds within 48 hours.

📍

Region

Sumter, Clarendon & Lee Counties, SC

Register to Vote Join Us →