LWV offers Civics 101 at Amarillo libraries starting Saturday

From Staff Reports
·2 min read

Are you hesitant to vote because you don’t think you know enough about city, county, and state government? Do you need a refresher on the voting process? In an answer these questions, the League of Women Voters of Amarillo has launched a series of programs called Civics 101.

The series kicks off on Saturday, Sept. 23 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Southwest Branch of the Amarillo Public Library. The public is encouraged and invited to attend the inaugural Civics 101 sessions, and there is no charge or registration required.

“We look forward to engaging local citizens while reinvigorating the study of civics in our community,” said Michelle Hoggatt, Co-President of the League’s Amarillo Chapter, in a news release.

Co-President of the League of Women Voters, Michelle Hoggatt, stands by to register voters Tuesday at the Amarillo North Library during National Voter Registration Day.
Co-President of the League of Women Voters, Michelle Hoggatt, stands by to register voters Tuesday at the Amarillo North Library during National Voter Registration Day.

Civics, as defined by Merriam-Webster, is a social science dealing with the rights and duties of citizens. Many leaders in society have become increasingly concerned about the recent lack of civics studies and education in communities throughout the U.S., so the local LWV chapter’s leadership hopes to address it in Amarillo, according to the release.

“It’s the mission of the League to make sure people know how our government works, and we also hope to also make it as easy as possible to participate,” said Jenny Inzerillo, Co-President of the League’s Amarillo Chapter. “After all, it’s people that power democracy, so we hope this new initiative will inform and empower those who attend.”

Members of the Amarillo chapter of the League of Women Voters gather at the Santa Fe Building to celebrate the organization's 102 years in this February 2022 file photo.
Members of the Amarillo chapter of the League of Women Voters gather at the Santa Fe Building to celebrate the organization's 102 years in this February 2022 file photo.

Historically, voting participation is very low in Texas, especially in local elections, LWV says. The League hopes that this series will provide useful information about how to become an informed voter and how government impacts our lives — making more Amarillo-area residents feel confident about the importance of their vote.

Civics 101 will be presented on the following Saturdays (9 a.m.-noon) at the following Amarillo Public Library locations:

  • Sept. 23: Southwest Branch Library, 6801 SW 45th Ave.

  • Oct. 7: North Branch Library, 1500 NE 24th Ave.

  • Oct. 21: East Branch Library, 2232 SE 27th Ave.

  • Nov. 4: Downtown Library, 413 SE 4th Ave.

During the three-hour sessions, there will be segments on” city and county government; state government; voting information; and more. Refreshments will be served during breaks, and prizes will be awarded periodically. “We want these programs to be fun as well as informative,” Hoggatt said.

interested voters look on as candidates take questions Thursday at the League of Women Voters forum held at Amarillo College.
interested voters look on as candidates take questions Thursday at the League of Women Voters forum held at Amarillo College.

The League of Women Voters is a non-partisan, grassroots organization working to empower voters and defend democracy through advocacy, education, and litigation at the local, state, and national levels. The League has been active in Amarillo for more than 50 years in the community, including educational programs, the publication of the local Voters Guide preceding elections, registering voters, and hosting candidate forums.

For more information on this series, please contact Judy Tolk at 806-372-2858 or Claudia Stravato at 806-626-2452.

This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Amarillo League of Women Voters offers Civics 101 series at libraries