LETTER: Some candidates won’t take part, so forums are cancelled

To Ozaukee Press:

The League of Women Voters of Ozaukee County regrets to announce that we will not be sponsoring candidate forums in the state Assembly districts that represent residents of Ozaukee County. In spite of extensive efforts, we could not come to agreement with some candidates running to represent Assembly Districts 23, 24 and 60. Unfortunately, it’s voters who are missing out.

The League has a long history of sponsoring candidate forums that follow state and federal guidelines for fairness to all candidates; therefore, we cannot conduct a forum if only one candidate is present.

The League is non-partisan; that is, it will neither endorse nor oppose any candidate. The forums allow voters to ask questions of candidates in a civil, structured format. Mindful that democracy works well when all eligible voters accept their rights and responsibilities, we encourage all voters to seek out ways to become informed about all candidates and then vote.

There are 10 positions on the next ballot for Ozaukee County residents. The following websites can help voters find some candidate information: Wisconsin Eye (wiseye.org) has candidate interviews under “Campaign 2018”; and the League-sponsored site Vote411.org has candidate responses to questions, as well as a listing of all candidates. The next election is Tuesday, Nov. 6.

Barbara Hunt

President
League of Women Voters
Ozaukee County