LWV Candidates’ Night coming to Shisler Center
Candidates’ Night, an event that brings together Wayne County voters and candidates running for various offices in Wooster and Wayne County for discussion about the issues, will take place Oct. 12 at 6:30 p.m. in the ballroom at the Shisler Conference Center on the campus of CFAES.
This is the signature event of the League of Women Voters of Wayne County. This year candidates for mayor of Wooster, Wooster City Council and Wooster City School Board will be in attendance, and the public is invited to attend.
The league is using the same approach as last year, featuring discussions with the candidates about the issues and not the debate style of the past. The people attending will be seated in several large groups, with the candidates sitting down to talk with each group in a rotating manner. Unopposed candidates will not participate in the rotating groups but will give an opening statement and be available at the end of the event to speak with attendees.
This will allow for questions and answers between the voters and the candidates in a less formal manner. Those attending may express their concerns through their questions, and the candidates can share their ideas. Every person will get to hear every candidate.
The annual event is organized by the League of Women Voters of Wayne County as a way for citizens to get to know those who are running for public office. This year additional sponsorship is provided by Amanda L. Roller, Kiwanis Club of Wooster, the Wooster branch of the American Association of University Women and Wooster/Orrville NAACP.
Another way to learn about the candidates is to go to the league’s website at www.Vote411.org. Check your voter registration status and also see an online voter guide to the candidates on the website.
The League of Women Voters is nonpartisan. All candidates receive equal invitations and treatment, and no candidate is endorsed by the league.
The candidates who will attend the event are Wooster mayor candidates Gregory Gehris (write-in), Mary Reans and Bob Reynolds; Wooster City Council candidates Craig Sanders, running unopposed for council president, Michael Abernathy Jr. and Bill Bostancic, who are running for Council at Large; and Lukas Gaffey and Michael Todaro, who are running for the Ward 1 seat. Also in attendance will be Wooster City School Board candidates Rik Goodright and Joy Kleinhenz.
Election day is Nov. 7, and early in-person voting will start Oct. 1 at the board of elections office in Wooster. You must be registered to vote by Oct. 10.