Dorchester County Democrats Promote New Statewide Democracy Builders Initiative

Gray Somerville
Aug 5
3 min read

If you’re looking for a practical and effective way to stand up for democracy and promote progressive values in your community, the Democracy Builders Program may be the opportunity you’ve been waiting for. The Dorchester County Democratic Party (DCDP) has announced its strong support for this major new initiative launched by the South Carolina Democratic Party (SCDP). Designed to mobilize grassroots energy across the state, the program directly supports DCDP’s core mission: electing Democrats, empowering citizens, and defending democracy at every level.

Building Democratic Power Together

The SCDP recently introduced Democracy Builders as a year-round or ganizing program grounded in the idea that “You are the Party.” The program invites all Democrats—regardless of prior political experience—to become directly involved in strengthening grassroots Democratic power throughout the state.

With the 2026 elections expected to be among the most significant in recent history, the Democracy Builders initiative aims to build lasting relationships between local communities and the Democratic Party by empowering individuals to serve as connectors and catalysts for civic engagement.

The Role of a Democracy Builder

Participants in the program, known as Democracy Builders, are tasked with fostering community engagement through regular, direct outreach. Each Democracy Builder commits to connecting with approximately 40 voters in their neighborhood, and then following up with those voters a couple of times over the coming year to help keep them informed and engaged.

Responsibilities include:

Ensuring community members are registered and prepared to vote.
Sharing updates about upcoming elections and key issues.
Promoting local events, trainings, and volunteer opportunities.
Serving as a Democratic point of contact within their personal and professional circles.

This person-to-person approach is designed to increase civic awareness and encourage greater voter turnout, thereby helping to elect Democratic candidates across South Carolina.

Relevance for Dorchester County

South Carolina is home to thousands of Democrats who are deeply concerned about healthcare, economic opportunity, education, and social justice. However, many of these individuals have never been personally invited to get involved in political action.

The Democracy Builders program seeks to change that dynamic. By giving community members the tools and training they need to reach out to others, the program strengthens local campaigns and lays the foundation for long-term civic engagement. DCDP leadership views the initiative as a natural extension of its own recent successes, including a decisive 65% to 34% victory in a county council race and a 30% increase in voter turnout in 2024.

Comprehensive Support Provided

To ensure that every participant is successful, the SCDP offers a robust support system that includes:

A pre-selected list of 35–50 voters in the participant’s community.
Access to training sessions and outreach resources.
Ongoing communication with organizing staff.
Toolkits and talking points tailored to local concerns.
Recognition for volunteers who demonstrate exceptional commitment.

The program is designed to remove barriers to participation, making it easy for anyone with a passion for democracy to make a meaningful impact.

Who Can Join?

The Democracy Builders Program is open to a wide range of participants, reflecting the diversity of South Carolina’s Democratic base. Those encouraged to apply include:

Students
Parents
Small business owners
Veterans
Faith community members
Retirees
Concerned citizens of all backgrounds

No previous political experience is required—just a desire to make a difference.

Get Started Today!

You can sign up to become a Democracy Builder at the South Carolina Democratic Party’s website: https://www.scdp.org/democracy-builders. DCDP leaders encourage residents of Dorchester County to get involved and help build a South Carolina that works for everyone.

With its focus on year-round engagement and local empowerment, the Democracy Builders initiative has the potential to reshape Democratic organizing in South Carolina. By combining the energy of grassroots volunteers with coordinated statewide support, the program is positioned to drive significant change leading into the 2026 election cycle and beyond.