Instead of complaining, the Presbyterian College graduate took action.

Two months after the November elections, Fowler formed a Young Democrats group. Initial meetings attracted a few people, but Fowler says she now has about 1,000 interested, if not active, members across the state.

South Carolina Democrats are counting on those numbers.

State Party Chairman Joe Erwin is relying on the assistance of young, politically active volunteers to put on the state's first-in-the-South Democratic presidential primary Feb. 3.

The volunteers may help count votes, which will be cast on paper ballots, or man polling places, Fowler said. They also are working with the state party to sponsor a presidential debate Jan. 29.

"It's daunting, but that's what makes it an exciting opportunity," said Mike McCauley, 25.

McCauley said his role as interim chairman of the Lowcountry Young Democrats has "created access to our elected officials that I never thought was possible."

For many college students, the 2004 election will be the first time they vote, said Tom Santaniello, president of the Furman University College Democrats.

"To be able to have this primary in your back yard, as young voters it's just exciting," said Santaniello, 21.

Across the state, Young Demo-crats are holding voter registration drives and offering chances for voters to meet candidates, watch debates or just get to know like-minded individuals while drinking beer or listening to bands. Most members range in age from mid-20s to late 30s; there are separate College Democrat groups for those 18-22.

The Young Democrats are technologically adept, with their own Web site that allows visitors to donate money, purchase T-shirts and coffee mugs, and register to vote.

They run their own computer list server with the names of volunteers. Important contact information is stored in handy cell phones.

"By the primary, we're going to have a solid army," Fowler said.

Young Democrats in neighboring Georgia and North Carolina are relatively active.

Georgia has 24 chapters, and members work on campaigns, hold voter registration drives and provide interns for state lawmakers, said state president Stacey Godfrey, 25. The North Carolina Young Democrats have about 600 members and recently marked their 75th anniversary, said state president Courtney Crowder, 26.

South Carolina's Young Republicans reorganized before the 2000 elections and now have a dozen charter clubs across the state, said Chairman Bryan Keelin, 34.

The state's Young Democrats have been active, off and on, for about 70 years, said former Democratic National Committee Chairman Don Fowler of Columbia.

"It's been a matter of emphasis, a matter of encouragement," said Fowler, who is a distant cousin of Katie Fowler. He said the reorganization of the Young Democrats shows that the party is "alive and healthy and breathing."

During the 2002 election, there were more than 2 million registered voters in the state but only 87,371 were between 18 and 21 years old, according to the State Election Commission.

Among the 1.1 million total voters who cast ballots in the 2002 general election, less than 3 percent were between 18 and 21, according to commission records.

ON THE NET:

South Carolina Young Democrats: www.ydsc.org/

South Carolina Young Republicans: states.yrock.com/southcarolina/

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