Political analysts say American voters are gaining interest in the general election at a clip not seen in decades. As a result, many Republican and Democratic party operatives are planning ways to make it easier for people in The T&D Region to volunteer their support for the candidates of their choice.

The county parties will be holding numerous voter registration drives virtually everywhere you look. The last day South Carolinians can register to vote and still participate in the general election is Oct. 4.

The frenetic pace of efforts to get out the vote on Nov. 4 will only increase as late summer gives way to early fall in the Palmetto State.

Campaign headquarters are being opened in Bamberg, Calhoun and Orangeburg counties by both parties in an attempt to make literature from candidates for local, statewide and presidential campaigns available to voters.

Republican and Democratic party officials in all three counties also hope this will entice people to assist in everything from going door to door, placing campaign placards in private yards and providing transportation to the polls, among other duties.

Calhoun County Democratic Party Chairman Sidney Zemp is looking to hit the ground running in his first year at the helm.

“We are in the process of getting a campaign headquarters set up and working with another group to hold a voter registration and polling machine orientation at the county courthouse annex,” Zemp said. “We have had several meetings to let people know we are active and we plan on working with the churches in getting people registered to vote. The state Democratic Party has also named a new field coordinator for the county and we should have more help working in the community.”

“We have a lot of Democrats in South Carolina and a strong ticket that can help all Americans,” he said. “We want to support a woman’s right to choose, equal pay for women, getting out of Iraq in a timely manner and rebuilding our respect around the world.”

Orangeburg County Democratic Party Chairwoman Betty Henderson says her group is intent on running a grassroots campaign in the churches and colleges.

“We are continuing to do voter registration all over,” Henderson said. “Ten different areas of Orangeburg County were covered just last Saturday. We want people to know the importance of being registered so they can be eligible to participate in the Campaign of Change.”

Orangeburg County Republican Party Chairman James Ulmer invited interested people to the party’s regular meetings.

“We also have a booth at the county fair. We’re currently looking for volunteers to help with that and to be town coordinators for the upcoming campaign,” he said.

In addition to the efforts of local party officials, there will be several events sponsored by local non-partisan groups designed to educate voters. For instance, on Oct. 12 the Alpha Omicron Zeta chapter of the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority will present a political forum at Trinity United Methodist Church at 185 Boulevard St. starting at 5 p.m.

Clara Robinson, chairperson of the sorority’s political action committee, says the Orangeburg County Republican and Democratic party chairs will present the candidates being offered for local and statewide races and explain why voters should turn out for the general election. Afterward, candidates will be available to speak to voters in the church parish hall. The Claflin Choir will perform.

T&D Staff Writer Phil Sarata can be reached by e-mail at psarata@timesanddemocrat.com or by phone at 803-533-5540. Comment on this and other stories online at www.TheTandD.com

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