There is no group more coveted by candidates than voters between the ages of 18 and 35. It is the golden age. And in this election it is both crucial and elusive.

In South Carolina, according to the 2020 census, there are 843,000 people between the ages of 20 and 35. The state’s election commission shows the 18-44 age group represents 37 percent of registered voters, roughly 1.26 million voters.

President Biden’s bold, courageous and selfless decision to stand down and to endorse Kamala Harris, shakes up the dynamics of this race. And it puts young voters squarely in the middle of the board – important not only for the presidential race but for important local and statewide races as well.

But what do they want? How do we as Democrats capture their imagination? And their votes?

At our August 12 meeting, we’ll tackle the topic of Crucial and Elusive: How Young Leaders are Engaging Their Voters with a panel of young Democratic leaders:

• Evan Lawton, president, South Carolina High School Dems (and a Greenville student)
• Jacob Taylor, president, Furman University Dems
• Kirsten Pruitt, president, Young Dems of Greenville County, and 3rd vice chair of the GCDP

We’ll have brief remarks from each of our panelists, but the bulk of our time will be a wide-ranging panel discussion. We’ll have some questions to kick off but we’re expecting a lot of Q&A, so please come prepared with questions.

In addition, we’ll also have four candidates speaking. We will welcome Rep. Chandra Dillard, running for re-election for state House Dist. 23, Rep. Wendell Jones, running for re-election for state House Dist. 25, Shauna Johnson, running for state House Dist. 24, and Octavia Amaechi, contending for state Senate Dist. 12.

We’ve also got a great meal planned. Michelle Johnson Designs and Events was recommended to us by Rep. Jones. Part of our mission is to support women-owned businesses that reflect our Democratic values. The menu features: Shrimp and grits, chicken and waffles, collard greens, cornbread, and assorted cupcakes.

August will be the last of our Summer Series of evening meetings. So we’ll see you at 6 p.m.

What’s coming up in September?? We are very excited about this: Our September 9 meeting will feature Miriam Rosenbaum, director of the Brennan Center for Justice’s Democracy Futures project. She’s coming to Greenville exclusively to speak at our meeting and to outline the details and dangers of Project 2025. A lot more will be coming about this in the next few weeks, but save this date in your calendar!