Several forums where community members can hear from candidates running in local and state races are set for the coming weeks, ahead of the Tuesday, Nov. 5 general election.
All forums are free to attend, and seating at those that are in person is first-come, first served. We’ve noted if registration is required.
If we missed an upcoming forum happening in Lawrence and Douglas County, please let us know via email at Hello@LawrenceKSTimes.com or via our quick contact form.
See more election coverage and learn more about the candidates at lawrencekstimes.com/election2024.
Douglas County Commission forums
Candidates vying for seats on the Douglas County Commission include:
• District 2: Shannon Reid, incumbent Democrat, and Brad Chun, independent;
• District 3: Karen Willey, incumbent Democrat, and Pam McDermott, Republican;
• District 4: Gene Dorsey, Democrat; Steve Jacob, Libertarian; and Timothy Bruce, Republican;
• District 5: Erica Anderson, Democrat; Kirsten Kuhn, Libertarian; and Rich Lorenzo, Republican.
Find out which district you’re in by visiting myvoteinfo.voteks.org and inputting your name and date of birth or your address.
• Lawrence NAACP, League of Women Voters of Lawrence-Douglas County and Kansas Public Radio will host a forum from 3 to 4:15 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 15 in the Lawrence Public Library auditorium, 707 Vermont St. Informal visiting with candidates will follow.
• Douglas County Rural Preservation Association will host a meet and greet and Q&A at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 24 at the Douglas County Fairgrounds, 2120 Harper St.
• The Lawrence Chamber of Commerce will host a forum at 8 to 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 9 at the Lied Center Pavilion, 1600 Stewart Drive. Doors open at 7:30 a.m. Register through the Chamber’s website at this link.
Douglas County district attorney forums
Democratic candidate Dakota Loomis and Republican Mike Warner will face each other in the race for Douglas County district attorney.
• Douglas County Rural Preservation Association will host a meet and greet and Q&A at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 24 at the Douglas County Fairgrounds, 2120 Harper St.
• The Lawrence-Douglas County chapter of Women for Kansas will host a forum at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 30 in the Lawrence Public Library auditorium, 707 Vermont St.
• Lawrence NAACP, League of Women Voters of Lawrence-Douglas County and Kansas Public Radio will host a forum at 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 6 at the Lawrence Public Library.
Forums for state and national races
• Lawrence NAACP and League of Women Voters of Lawrence-Douglas County will host a forum for Kansas State Senate candidates at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 15 in the Lawrence Public Library auditorium, 707 Vermont St. Informal visits with candidates will follow.
• Women for Kansas Virtual Chapter will host a forum via Zoom for U.S. Congressional House District 1 candidates at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 24. Registration is available at this link.
• Lawrence NAACP, League of Women Voters of Lawrence-Douglas County and Kansas Public Radio will host a forum for Kansas State Board of Education candidates at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 6 in the Lawrence Public Library auditorium.
The general election is Tuesday, Nov. 5. Early voting begins Wednesday, Oct. 16.
Tuesday, Oct. 15 is the final day to register to vote in Douglas County, and Oct. 29 is the final day to apply for an advance ballot. Douglas County voters can take care of both quickly at KSVotes.org.
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This post is by the Lawrence Times news team.
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