The Bandera County Unit of the Hill Country League of Women Voters met Thursday, July 31, at the Hen’s Nest in Bandera. Janice Zitelman from the Gillespie County unit led the meeting.
The small group of seven shared breakfast and discussed county goals. The conversation opened with a discussion about banned books. While no recent action was reported, one library board member noted that a parent requested a book be moved from the children’s section to the young adult section. After discussion, the request was approved. Zitelman said she had recently read The Librarian of Burned Books and appreciated its perspective on censorship.
Deborah Reille reported on attending a recent Bandera County Commissioners Court meeting. She was surprised to find that funding for county libraries was included under “block grants” during the budget discussion.
The group then turned its attention to distribution of the League’s Voters Guide. Members brainstormed high-traffic areas for placing the guides to maximize reach. The upcoming election will focus on amendments to the Texas Constitution. Members expressed concern that the language used in the amendments would be difficult for the average voter to understand.
Zitelman shared that League leadership team member Heather Farmer is available to give a “Voting 101” presentation, aimed at helping voters understand the election process and requirements.
The group discussed that although many Hill Country counties have high registration rates, actual voter turnout remains significantly lower. They also noted the participation rates of independent voters in recent elections.
Zitelman presented background information on the League’s purpose and history, noting that the Hill Country League includes members from Bandera, Blanco, Gillespie, Kendall, Kerr, and Llano counties. She emphasized that the League of Women Voters is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to voter education and participation.
She encouraged attendees to become certified as volunteer deputy registrars and directed them to Bandera County Elections Administrator Andrea Jankowski for training. Initial certification can be completed through the Texas Election Training portal.
The group also recognized Bandera County Veterans Advocate Mike Lauricella for his efforts in helping veterans and their spouses access services. Lauricella was identified as a valuable resource for distributing the Voters Guide to the local veteran community.
The League’s Voters Guide for the November 2025 election will be released in October. It will include summaries of all 17 proposed amendments to the Texas Constitution that will appear on the ballot.
The next important date for the group is Aug. 24, when the League will observe Women’s Equality Day in honor of the ratification of the 19th Amendment, which granted women the right to vote.
The meeting adjourned at 11 a.m. Members plan to continue meeting quarterly at the Hen’s Nest, Dutch treat. The next meeting is scheduled for Oct. 2 at 9 a.m.
For more information, visit lwvtexashillcountry.org. Membership is open to both women and men.
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