For over 60 years, voters have relied on The League of Women Voters for nonpartisan candidate forums. This year, with the Sarasota County August Primary just around the corner, several candidates have declined or ignored requests to participate in our three upcoming forums or have failed to submit answers for our vote411.org voter guide.
When candidates refuse to attend or participate, they lose the opportunity to express their views without risk of being misquoted or having their statements taken out of context. For voters, a candidate’s absence not only creates a vital information gap, but also raises suspicions about the candidate’s reluctance to be heard.
VOTE411.org, the League’s public service website, is designed to provide all the information voters need to make informed choices when they cast their ballot.vote411.org also gives candidates the opportunity to clarify where they stand on the issues that matter most to their community.
Our forums are free and open to the public and are conducted in an egalitarian manner. All candidates are asked the same questions, and all questions are vetted to assure a nonpartisan viewpoint.
LWV of Sarasota County is hosting three candidate forums prior to the August 20, 2024 election: Hospital Board Primary Election on July 11; School Board Final Election on July 17; and County Commission Primary Election for Districts 1 and 3 on July 22. To serve the widest possible audience, in addition to in person attendance, voters will have the option of live-streaming or watching professionally recorded versions of these forums on our website, lwvsrq.org.
We thank the many candidates who have agreed to participate. For those who have declined our invitation, please reconsider. When all candidates come forward and clearly express their views, they demonstrate their respect for the people they hope to serve and EVERYONE WINS!
We invite the public to visitlwvsrq.orgo learn how to view these forums in person or remotely. Go to vote411.org to find out which candidates will be on your ballot.
Shawn Bartelt
President
League of Women Voters of Sarasota County