I recently wrote about judging the State Civics Bee and learning how much Wyoming’s school-age kids learn about civics.
And I closed by saying it is time the rest of us met the standard set; not only in knowledge, but in the courage to show up, speak up, and take part.
So what does it take to be an informed voter and citizen in Wyoming? At its core, it is not abstract theory.
It is knowing how the three branches of government balance each other, and how a bill introduced in Cheyenne can turn into a law that affects your daily life.
It is also understanding which level of government handles which decisions. The state legislature sets school funding, county commissioners decide on property tax levies, and city councils regulate zoning that determines housing affordability.
Civic knowledge means having the tools to answer questions that come up in every household. Why is my property tax bill going up? Who decides where the next mental health clinic will be built? What do I need to know to make my vote count?
Without a grounding in how our system works, those questions feel like mysteries. With that knowledge, they become opportunities to act.
Too many of us never gained that grounding. National surveys show that seven out of ten Americans fail a basic civics quiz.
Only one third can name all three branches of government. Less than half know how laws are made.
These gaps are not just trivia. They keep people from understanding what is at stake when they mark a ballot or sit out an election altogether.
Wyoming reflects the same pattern in stark numbers. In the 2022 midterm elections, only 13 percent of Wyomingites between 18 and 24 voted.
Compare that with 74 percent of those between 70 and 79. That 61 point gap is one of the widest in the country.
Decisions about housing, health care, and community services are unfolding without younger voices at the table. When large parts of our population do not show up, policy naturally tilts toward the age groups and demographics that do.
So what is in it for you, the individual?
The answer is simple. Civic knowledge gives you a say in the issues that matter most to your family and community.
Civic education is not about memorizing the Federalist Papers. It is about knowing whom to call, what meeting to attend, and how to make your voice count when decisions affect you directly.
The deeper benefit is agency.
You do not have to leave the future of your community in someone else’s hands. With civic knowledge, you can build the future you want.
That may mean voting with confidence, serving on a local board, or simply having the facts in hand when you hear misinformation spread at a coffee shop.
The return on investment is empowerment.
The successful Know Your Government program jointly sponsored by Representative Elissa Campbell and Natrona County Public Library provides an excellent model. This four-session program started with an overview then dove into municipal government with local mayors.
Participants in the next two weeks will learn more about county government from commissioners, and about state government from local legislators.
Extending this model to all 23 county library systems would leverage libraries' natural role as community gathering spaces while ensuring statewide access.
Beyond in-person programs, we also need a dedicated statewide online hub for civic learning. This hub is in early development, but its purpose is clear: offer short, mobile-friendly modules that allow busy adults to learn on their own schedules - and provide tools so organizations can host their own sessions.
Wyoming’s wide-open geography makes online access essential. But pairing it with local in-person opportunities ensures we don’t lose community connection.
The need is urgent, and the opportunity is real.
Wyoming can become a leader in adult civic education by building on what is already happening, expanding it across all counties, and creating online resources that reach every corner of the state.
If you're interested in helping develop training materials or implementation strategies, please reach out. Strengthening Wyoming's democracy (or republic if you prefer) requires community-wide effort, and every contribution matters. Together, we can ensure that every citizen has the knowledge and confidence to shape the future of our state.
Civic education isn’t politics. It is about community. It is about making sure our voices are heard and our values represented.
Wyoming deserves nothing less.
Gail Symons can be reached at Gailsymons@mac.com
