The new nonpartisan group kicks off its North Carolina program with a party Saturday night at King's bar in downtown Raleigh. The party runs from 6 to 8 p.m. with free food and music and a chance to chat with local and state politicians.

Co-founder Adrian Talbott says it's not about star power, like Rock the Vote, or about an issue, like the environment or Social Security.

Talbott, a 24 year-old veteran of Democratic campaigns, said he saw a lot of talk about turning out youth in the 2004 elections. But he saw little sustained effort at getting young people involved over the long term.

Talbott and his older brother, Devin, founded Generation Engage to build ongoing grass-roots organizations in North Carolina and Virginia.

Another co-founder is Cate Edwards, the daughter of former vice presidential nominee John Edwards. She said Thursday that she saw the need for an ongoing effort while campaigning for her dad.

"This shouldn't be something where every four years people pay attention to politics," she said.