Do you plan to cast a ballot this midterm election but are unsure who you want to vote for on a local level? Here is your chance to meet candidates face-to-face.
Indiana University South Bend is hosting a candidate meet and greet for county office seekers today at 7 pm until 9.
Each candidate will have the chance to deliver a brief 90 second opening statement. Voters will then have the opportunity to speak individually with the candidates.
“The idea behind this specific event is to provide a chance for voters to gain information on as many down-ballot races as possible. Bringing the candidates for multiple offices into one place at one time allows us to better accomplish this than a traditional debate format,” says IUSB Assistant Professor Jamie Smith.
“Also, these races may be little covered in the media, and in some cases, the election is for an office that voters have little information on to begin with. So, by bringing the candidates to one spot at one time, we allow voters to ask them questions about the nature of the office and how they would approach the job.”
The confirmed candidates that will be at the event include:
Jeff Sanford (R) for County Prosecutor
Ken Cotter (D) for County Prosecutor
Terri Rethlake (D) for County Clerk
Terry DeMaegd (R) for County Council District H
Bob McCahill (D) for County Council District H
Dennis Jordan (R) for County Council District B
Corey Noland (D) for County Council District B
The forum is sponsored by the IUSB Political Science Club, Economic Club of Michiana and the American Democracy Project of IU South Bend.
“The non-partisan American Democracy Project at IU South Bend aims to engage citizens on multiple fronts,” says Smith, who serves as the Interim Director of the organization on campus. “During campaign season, this means sponsoring events like this one that bring information to voters. We also host voter registration drives on campus, organize and sponsor candidate debates, and host forums on policy issues important to people in the region.”
The event is being held inside of the Student Activities Center Rooms 221, 223, and 225 on the IUSB campus, which is located at 1700 W Mishawaka Ave in South Bend. It is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served. Parking is available anywhere on campus for free — even in the parking lots that normally require hang tag permits.
In case you cannot make it to the IUSB event, South Bend Voice will be publishing a series of candidate statements and questionnaire responses in the lead up to Election Day. We hope to hear from these candidates (and others) on a number of important issues.
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