The League of Women Voters of Clallam County will sponsor four events featuring candidates and issues appearing on the Nov. 8 general election ballot. All events are free and open to the public, and audience members are encouraged to bring their questions for the candidates and speakers representing the “for” and “against” positions for the state initiatives.
The first forum will be from 6-8:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 29, in the Carver Room of the Port Angeles Library, 2210 S. Peabody St., Port Angeles. This forum will consist of two panels: First will be individuals speaking “for” and “against” state initiative 1491: Extreme Risk Protection Orders. The second panel will be the candidates for State Representative, Position 2, Steve Tharinger and John Alger. This event is co-sponsored by the North Olympic Library System.
The second event will be from 6-8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 4, in the commissioners meeting room at the Clallam County Courthouse, 223 E. Fourth St., Port Angeles. The first panel of this forum will be candidates for County Commissioner, District 2, Randy Johnson and Ron Richards. The second panel of the evening will be candidates for Superior Court Judge, Position 2, Brian Paul Coughenour and Dave Neupert.
The third forum is slated from 6-8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 12, in the commissioners meeting room at the Clallam County Courthouse, 223 E. Fourth St., Port Angeles. The first panel will feature candidates for State Senator Kevin Van de Wege and Danille Turissini. The second panel will be candidates for U.S. Representative Derek Kilmer and Todd A. Bloom.
At each of these three forums, candidates for other offices who may be present in the audience will be asked to stand and introduce themselves. Time will be allowed at the conclusion of each forum for a one-on-one Q&A with the candidates and initiative representatives. Members of the Clallam County League of Women Voters will video record each forum and links to the recordings will be available a few days after each event on the League’s website at www.lwvcla.org.
The fourth and final event will be from 6-8 p.m. Monday, Oct. 17, in the Carver Room of the Port Angeles Library, 2210 S. Peabody St., Port Angeles. Members of the public are invited to drop in between 6-8 p.m. to get “for” and “against” information about the six initiatives on the November ballot. The initiatives on the Nov. 8 ballot are: I-732 Carbon Emission Tax; I-735 Propose Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, I-1433 Concerns Labor Standards (Minimum Wage), I-1464 Concerns Elections and Lobbying Accountability of Washington, I-1501 Vulnerable Criminal Protection, and I-1491 Extreme Risk Protection Orders. For most initiatives, the League expects individuals representing both the “for” and “against” arguments to be present to visit with attendees on a one-to-one basis. For all initiatives, printed literature representing both sides will be available. This event is co-sponsored by the North Olympic Library System.
The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan organization whose purpose is to promote the informed and active participation of citizens in government. Don’t forget to register to vote! For more information about these voter education events, voter registration and the League of Women Voters, go to the Clallam County League’s website at www.lwvcla.org. Ballots will be mailed on Oct. 19 and must be postmarked no later than election day, Tuesday, Nov. 8.
