Editor,

With summer on Whidbey Island a fading memory, it’s time to pay attention to the candidates who are running for elected office and the ballot measures that will be before us in the general election on Nov. 4.

Once again, the League of Women Voters of Whidbey Island (LWVWI) will give the voting public a chance to meet the candidates, hear their positions and listen to their answers to challenging questions. The LWVWI takes great pride in presenting forums with an objective, non-partisan format and considers it one of the most important services that we provide to our members and the community at large.

The LWVWI and the Sno-Isle Libraries will co-sponsor two forums this upcoming general election season:

The first one will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 8 starting at 6 p.m., at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Freeland, and will feature the candidates running for Legislative District 10 Representative, Position 2; Island County Commissioner, District 3; and Island County Treasurer.

Panels representing “Yes” and “No” on I-594 and one on I-591 are also planned.

The second one will be held on Thursday, Oct. 16, starting at 6 p.m., at the Elks Club in Oak Harbor, and will highlight the candidates running for U.S. Representative for the 2nd Congressional District; 10th Legislative District Representative, Position 1 and 2; Island County Commissioner, District 3; Island County Auditor and Island County Treasurer.

Although written questions for the candidates will come from League members, the general public is invited to submit questions for our consideration through the contact page of our website: lwvwhidbey.org, no later than Monday, Oct. 6.

Since there are so few opportunities to see both candidates vying for a position in person, we strongly urge Island County voters to attend one or both of these forums.

JOYCE PETERSON AND MARSHALL GOLDBERG,

co-presidents,

League of Women Voters