The Democratic Party is a nationwide organization built from the ground up. It functions at three main levels—national, state, and county—each with distinct roles and responsibilities. It is also important to understand the distinction between the Party itself, elected politicians, and the voting public.
This structure reflects the grassroots nature of democracy. Rather than operating as a top-down hierarchy, the Democratic Party functions as a network of interconnected organizations, each with specific duties and responsibilities. National leaders set broad priorities, while state and county parties adapt those priorities to the needs of their communities. At the same time, the Party’s true strength comes from its members and volunteers—the everyday people who knock on doors, register voters, and represent their neighbors in precinct meetings. Recognizing the separation between the Party organization, the elected officials who create and pass laws, and the citizens who exercise their right to vote ensures both clarity and accountability in how our democracy functions.
National Democratic Party (DNC)
The Democratic National Committee (DNC) sets the broad vision, platform, and strategy for Democrats across the United States. Its primary responsibilities include:
- Developing the national platform of values and policies.
- Supporting Democratic candidates for federal offices (President, Senate, House of Representatives).
- Coordinating national campaigns and conventions.
- Fundraising and maintaining the Party’s national infrastructure.
The DNC does not write laws or create policy—that is the role of elected officials in government.
Visit the Democratic National Committee website
South Carolina Democratic Party (SCDP)
The South Carolina Democratic Party is the state-level arm of the national Party. It adapts the Democratic platform to South Carolina’s unique issues and needs. Its responsibilities include:
- Recruiting, training, and supporting candidates for state and local offices.
- Coordinating Democratic primaries in South Carolina.
- Organizing the State Convention and other major events.
- Working with county Democratic parties to grow grassroots engagement and voter turnout.
The SCDP serves as the bridge between the national Democratic Party and each of South Carolina’s 46 county parties.
Visit the South Carolina Democratic Party website
Horry County Democratic Party (HCDP)
The Horry County Democratic Party is the local level of the Party in Horry County, South Carolina and is closest to the people of Horry. Its focus is on community outreach and empowering local Democrats. HCDP’s responsibilities include:
- Organizing precinct meetings and electing precinct representatives.
- Registering voters and boosting voter turnout in Horry County.
- Supporting Democratic candidates running for county, municipal, and state offices.
- Hosting forums, educational events, and community service activities and events.
- Maintaining open lines of communication between local Democrats, the State Party, and the DNC.
The Party vs. Elected Politicians vs. The Public
- The Democratic Party (national, state, or county) is an organization of members and volunteers who develop strategies, platforms, and support candidates.
- Elected Politicians (such as city council members, mayors, state legislators, or members of Congress) are public officials who create and vote on laws. They may be Democrats, but they are not the same as the Party itself.
- The Voting Public includes all registered voters—Democrats, Republicans, Independents, or others—who make the ultimate decision at the ballot box.
Key HCDP Leadership Roles
At the Horry County level, Officers are elected by local Democrats during county conventions every two years. Their roles include:
- County Chair – Leads HCDP, oversees operations, represents the county party publicly, works with candidates, and communicates with state and national leaders.
- First Vice Chair – Assists the Chair and typically takes the lead in organizing outreach, community engagement, and fundraising. Must be of a different gender from the Chair (per Party rules).
- Second Vice Chair – Focuses on grassroots organizing, precinct development, and voter engagement.
- Third Vice Chair – Works closely with the Chair, First, and Second Vice Chairs to strengthen outreach and organization. Often tasked with coordinating special projects, assisting with volunteer recruitment, and ensuring diverse voices within the county are represented. The Third Vice Chair helps fill leadership gaps when needed and contributes to building strong connections between precincts, communities, and the county party as a whole. This position is open to individuals who are 18 years of age and under the age of 36.
- State Executive Committee (SEC) Members – Represent Horry County Democrats at the state level. They vote at meetings of the South Carolina Democratic Party and ensure the county’s voice is heard in statewide decisions.
- State Executive Committee Alternates – Serve as backup representatives for Horry County at meetings of the South Carolina Democratic Party. If one of the county’s elected SEC Members cannot attend a state meeting, an Alternate steps in to ensure Horry County’s voice and vote are still represented. Alternates are expected to stay informed about county and state issues, attend local Party functions, and be prepared to participate at the state level when called upon.
- Precinct Executive Committee Members (ECs) – Serve as the representatives for the Party at the neighborhood level. They organize voters within their precinct, distribute information, and serve as the first point of contact for local Democrats.
- Treasurer (Elected) – Manages the Party’s finances, including budgeting, expense tracking, and financial reporting. Ensures compliance with state and federal campaign finance laws and keeps the Party in good financial standing.
- Secretary (Elected) – Keeps official records, meeting minutes, and correspondence. Maintains transparency and ensures proper documentation of all actions.
HCDP Committees
Within HCDP, much of the important work is carried out through HCDP Committees. Each committee focuses on a specific area of responsibility to keep the Party strong and effective.
- The Candidate Committee supports and recruits Democratic candidates for local office.
- The Communications Committee manages messaging through the website, social media, press, and outreach to keep Democrats informed and engaged.
- The Fundraising Committee works to secure the resources needed to support candidates and operations.
- The Gun Sense Action Committee advocates for responsible gun legislation and community safety.
- The Voter Protection Committee ensures fair elections and safeguards voters’ rights at the polls.
- The Volunteer Committee recruits, trains, and mobilizes members to take action.
- And the Voter Committee leads efforts in voter registration, education, and turnout.
Together, these committees form the foundation of HCDP’s work, allowing members to apply their talents in meaningful ways to advance Democratic values in Horry County.
Democratic Clubs
In addition to committees, local Democratic Clubs—such as Carolina Forest Democratic Club and the Northwest Action Democrats—provide opportunities for Democrats to gather in smaller groups around shared interests or identities. Clubs build community, foster leadership, and provide forums for education, discussion, and volunteer activity. Together, committees and clubs form the backbone of HCDP’s grassroots structure, making it possible to organize year-round and keep Democratic values visible in the community.
Other Democratic Groups and Personal Activism
Outside of the formal Party structure, there are many other groups that Democrats can choose to get involved with—or not. While we may all share Democratic values and work toward strengthening democracy, not every group or activity is the right fit for every individual.
Some Democrats engage through social media groups, where discussions, event sharing, and rapid response messaging take place. Others prefer activism organizations and causes that focus on specific issues, such as environmental justice, healthcare access, voting rights, or education. Many also find ways to contribute through personal activism—whether that’s writing letters to the editor, canvassing their neighborhoods, mentoring young voters, or simply having conversations with family and friends to encourage civic participation.
The key point is that there are many entry points for participation. Whether through HCDP committees, local Democratic Clubs, statewide organizations, online communities, or personal action, every effort plays a role in moving democracy forward. Members should feel free to choose the level and type of engagement that best matches their skills, comfort, and availability.
Building the Foundation for Democratic Success
The Democratic Party itself is not made up of politicians—it is an organization of people who work to support policies, recruit strong leaders, and help elect Democrats to office. Party members and volunteers identify and encourage individuals with leadership skills and values that reflect the needs of their communities. While it is vital to elect more Democrats at every level of government, those who serve within the Party are not politicians themselves. Instead, they are the cheerleaders, organizers, and champions who build the foundation that allows candidates to succeed. Their role is to promote Democratic ideals, connect with voters, and create the conditions for Democratic leaders to earn the trust and support of the public.
Why This Matters
On all levels, the Democratic Party is more than just the figureheads who lead at the local, state, and national levels. It is a network of dedicated people, volunteers, and leaders working year-round to promote Democratic values and strengthen democracy. By understanding the Party’s structure and its distinction from elected officials, Horry County Democrats can better appreciate the vital behind-the-scenes work that powers campaigns and civic engagement. With this understanding, members can step into roles that directly shape the future of their community, their state, and their country.
Building Local Leadership for Real Change
The Horry County Democratic Party is dedicated to getting more individuals to run for office and win seats at the county level whenever they are available. As you may know, in a red state, this is often an uphill battle. That’s why we not only need qualified and electable candidates, but we also need votes—which means making sure everyone in the county is registered and shows up on Election Day. Finding candidates willing to step forward can be challenging, so if you are reading this and feel the call to make a difference in Horry County, we encourage you to step up. Your leadership and courage could help bring real change to our community.
