As polarization grows, a chance for Charlotte residents to get off the sidelines
Frustrated by what you’re seeing in politics and government but tired of sitting on the sidelines? A Charlotte program that gives residents an inside look into the most important local government institutions starts next week.
Civics 101, organized by the League of Women Voters of Charlotte Mecklenburg, began 31 years ago as a program to give residents insight into how government in Charlotte and across Mecklenburg County work.
The seven-week program dives into the inner workings of city and county government, the board of elections, county courts, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg School district and the news media. It aims to be a roadmap to show people how they can “effectively engage as a resident of our community,” the program’s website states.
Participants will have the opportunity to hear from sitting city and state officials. In 2025, sessions included Mayor Pro-Tem Dante Anderson, former City Council member Tariq Bokhari, superior court and district court judges and former mayor and county commissioner Jennifer Roberts.
The program has been a launching pad for individuals to run for office. Roberts, a former longtime county commissioner and mayor from 2015-2017, took the Civics 101 course in 2003 before launching her campaign for the board of commissioners.
“It helped me see who does what,” she said. “I met some of the elected officials and heard from them what it’s like to be in office. I thought it was pretty helpful in preparing to actually be a candidate.”
The program comes amidst deep polarization across the country. Charlotte has seen first-hand the impacts of federal policy, such as the deployment of U.S. Customs and Border Protection which arrested hundreds of people during its November operation and the confusion caused by temporary SNAP cuts during the government shutdown. And in recent weeks, it joined the nation seeing the killing of Renee Good and Alex Pretti by federal agents in Minnesota.
Roberts said the Civics 101 program helps participants understand who makes decisions and where to point their energy when they have concerns. The program brings in officials from both sides of the political aisle, she said.
Understanding things such as a council-manager form of government helps the public understand who holds the power in certain situations, Roberts said.
“We also find that people get less angry from a polarization perspective... like blame the Democrats or blame the Republicans. They do that less when they understand better how government works,” Roberts said.
In addition to educating people about the government process, Civics 101 will also show participants how they can get involved, said Stacey Jenkins, second Vice President of the League.
“It’s never been more important for us to understand that democracy is not a spectator sport, and that getting involved can help you feel like you’re making a difference, and we can help you to get involved,” Jenkins said.
The program runs one session a week from February 4 – March 18. All sessions will take place at the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center located at 600 E. 4th Street, Room CH-14, Charlotte, NC 28202. Registration for the full series is $60. Parking is free.
Those interested can register on the League of Women Voters of Charlotte-Mecklenburg’s website.