Kelsey Volkmann, The Examiner
2007-06-26 07:00:00.0
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WESTMINSTER, Md. -

The League of Women Voters wants to smash voter apathy through a series of public television shows.

This year alone, only 411 of Westminster’s 10,000 registered voters cast ballots in May. The league said the problem lies in residents not knowing who their elected officials are and what town councils do.

“We want people to learn basic information without feeling stupid about it,” said Sandra Collin, a league member who plans to host the five-part series. “We want them to have some feeling of control again. A lot of times, I don’t know who to call for certain things or I’m not certain about what different offices do. Like the orphans’ court, I couldn’t tell you what it’s about.”

The orphans’ court processes estates and settles inheritance disputes.

The shows will feature officials in town, county and state government and be filmed for free through the Community Media Center in Westminster.

The league “feels very strongly about educating people on the basic services municipalities do and don’t do,” Community Media Center Executive Director Marion Ware said.

The group plans to shoot the first episode in August for a September airing.

“Maybe residents just need to meet these folks to figure out whether they want to pull the lever for them, because most don’t know what they do so they don’t bother voting,” league President Elaine Hanratty said.

Next month marks the league’s one-year anniversary of reforming in Carroll after falling dormant.

In its second year, the league hopes television will empower viewers to get involved in government.

Democracy, after all, “is not a spectator sport,” Collin said.

kvolkmann@baltimoreexaminer.com