League of Women Voters to Host Candidate Forums

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: lwvarwc@gmail.com or Glenda Patterson (404) 216-5887

FAYETTEVILLE – The League of Women Voters of Washington County is planning two forums featuring candidates for County Judge and state legislative races. The public and press are invited to attend.

On Monday, October 10th, a forum will take place at 5:30 p.m. in the Reception Room of the Fayetteville Public Library. Kyle Kellams of KUAF Radio will serve as moderator. The League has invited the following candidates to the first forum:

·      Washington County Judge – Justice of the Peace Patrick Deakins, a Republican; and Josh Moody, a Democrat.

·      State Senate District 31 – Lisa Parks, a Democrat; and state Rep. Clint Penzo, a Republican.

·      State Senate District 35 – Tyler Dees, a Republican; and Doug Peterson, a Libertarian.

·      State House District 9 – DeAnna Hodges, a Republican; Diana Gonzales Worthen, a Democrat; and Steven Stilling, a Libertarian.

·      State House District 19 –  Paula Irwin, a Democrat; and Steven Unger, a Republican.

On Wednesday, October 19th, the forum will take place at 5:30 p.m. in the Walker Community Room at the Fayetteville Public Library. Katie Teague of the Washington County Extension Service will moderate. The League as invited the following candidates to the second forum:

·      State House District 11 – Rebecca Burkes, a Republican; and Rey Hernandez, a Democrat.

·      State House District 18 – Monique Jones, a Democrat; and Rep. Robin Lundstrum, a Republican.

·      State House District 22 – Brian Hester, a Republican; and Rep. David Whitaker, a Democrat.

·      State House District 23 – Ryan Hanson, a Libertarian; and Kendra Moore, a Republican.

·       State House District 25 – Caitlin Oxford, a Democrat; and Chad Puryear, a Republican.

Unopposed candidates have also been invited to attend. Please see below for our candidate participation policies & guidance.

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Policies & Guidance

Candidate Participation

Candidate forums for primary, special, and general elections are part of League of Women Voters of Washington County’s respected, century-long tradition of empowering voters by helping them obtain information about candidates’ background, qualifications, and positions on issues. LWV Washington County’s Candidate Participation Policy for all state and local League candidate forums is:

The League is proud to be nonpartisan, neither supporting nor opposing candidates or political parties at any level of government, and is always working on vital issues of concern to members and the public. Together with our co-sponsors and partners, LWV Washington County along with out local and state Leagues conduct candidate forums (including debates), meet-and-greet gatherings, video recordings, town hall meetings and other candidate events. Candidate forums will be conducted in a way to reflect the policy interests and concerns of the local community in order to maximize participation and engagement by candidates and voters.

This policy addresses the following:

• Inviting or including candidates for office including candidates of state-designated major party and write-in candidates;

• Forums when a candidate is unable to attend due to personal conflicts or emergent personal issues (e.g. family or personal illness);

• When one candidate in a two-candidate race is unable or unwilling to participate;

• Candidate participation in debates for federal office where Federal Communications Commission (FCC) or Federal Elections Commission (FEC) regulations apply.

Implementation:

1.    All candidates will be invited simultaneously and in the same manner which should include email. If an email address is not available from either the candidate or the Secretary of State, USPS mail should be used for that candidate. Invitations will include this policy.

o   For non-partisan races, Leagues will invite candidates registered with the Secretary of State for the office in question to participate in our events.

o   For partisan races, candidates representing the major political parties identified by the Arkansas Secretary of State’s office and/or local county clerks’ offices where applicable will be invited.

o   Leagues may include write-in or non-major party candidates if they have:

§  Publicly announced their intention to run;

§  Be eligible to hold the office and be qualified to be on the ballot;

§  Have demonstrated that their candidacy is credible. This could include any or all of the following:  campaign speeches, distribution of literature, press releases, issue papers, a campaign committee, website and/or headquarters;

§  Write-in candidates who have been eliminated in a primary will not be included in a general election forum.

2.    If an invited candidate is unable or decides not to appear at a scheduled event, the event may still be held. This is the case even if only one candidate appears, except when FCC or FEC rules apply. Unopposed candidates may appear alone.

3.    Debates for federal elections will not be held if one of the candidates invited in accordance with “Selection Criteria for Candidates in State Constitutional Officer or Congressional Races” does not appear.

4.    No substitutes or stand-ins for the candidates will be allowed.

5.    To ensure fairness and transparency, candidates must be available for the entire event in order to participate. In case of an emergent personal issue (illness or family emergency) which precludes candidate participation, the candidate may provide a written statement, equal in length to the opening statement of the candidate or candidates present, to be read by the moderator as part of the opening statements by candidates. “Emergent” typically means an unforeseen and unforeseeable event within 1 or 2 days or the scheduled event.

6.    The moderator will announce that all candidates were invited to participate. In announcing that a candidate is not participating, the moderator will present a brief statement that a candidate either did not respond or declined to participate without any editorial comment.

7.    The candidate or candidates who attend will have an opportunity to make opening and closing statements and express their positions on issues in response to questions submitted by the audience. In an extraordinary circumstance, and at the discretion of the local League, a candidate may submit a written statement to be read by the moderator equal in length to the opening statement of the candidate or candidates present.

8.    All media outlets that typically cover LWV events will be notified of this policy in the press releases, media interviews, social media and other communications prior to the events.

9.    LWV events will be conducted in accordance with other event rules as provided to candidates with their invitations.