An Informed, Active Electorate Is Goal of League Forums

Late September and October are busy days for the League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan political organization dedicated to encouraging the informed and active participation of citizens in government.

The League believes that an informed electorate is the strength of a democratic system. Our goal is to provide unbiased information to help voters make the best possible decisions.

That is why League members work long hours in these weeks leading up to election day, Nov. 7. The League will host nearly a dozen candidate forums in Ventura County in the coming month. We urge all voters to take advantage of these opportunities to meet, question and compare candidates.

During these early fall weeks much studying is done in preparation for presenting Pros & Cons sessions on all ballot measures to many local organizations that request our expertise. Preparing and presenting these sessions is an educational experience for members as well as for those who attend.

Candidate forums are what the League does best. Formats developed and improved through years of experience help voters to perceive the qualities and values they are seeking in a candidate.

Here is a list of this year’s forums:

* Thursday: Thousand Oaks City Council. Scherr Forum Theater, Civic Arts Plaza, 2100 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd. 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

* Oct. 3: State Assembly District 35. Ventura College, 4667 Telegraph Road, Room UV-2. 7 p.m. Followed by Ventura County Board of Supervisors, District 1 at 8:15 p.m.

* Oct. 5: Oxnard Elementary School District and Oxnard Union High School District. Fremont Middle School, 1130 North M St., Oxnard. 7 p.m.

* Oct. 5: U.S. Congressional District 23 (East County forum). Simi Valley City Council Chambers, 2929 Tapo Canyon Road. 7 p.m.

* Oct. 10: Ventura County Board of Supervisors, District 3. Unitarian-Universalist Church, 740 E. Main St., Santa Paula. 7 p.m. Followed by Santa Paula City Council at 8:15 p.m.

* Oct. 12: Oxnard City Council. Jones Intercable TV studio, 721 Maulhardt Ave., Oxnard. 7 p.m.

* Oct. 19: U.S. Congressional District 23 (West County forum). Help of Ojai, 111 W. Santa Ana St., Ojai. 7 p.m. Followed by Ojai School District at 8:20 p.m.

* Oct. 25: Moorpark City Council. Moorpark City Council Chambers, 799 Moorpark Ave. 7 p.m.

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The League believes that every voter has the right to know political candidates’ views, opinions and records on substantive issues. However, the League depends on the candidates to make these forums a success. It is only as a result of their goodwill that a forum truly becomes a reality. Our thanks go to the candidates this election year for making these forums a robust effort.

Voter registration forms will be available at all functions until the registration deadline, Oct. 10. These three functions--Pros & Cons, candidate forums and voter registration--are the League’s prime focus between now and the first Tuesday in November.

The League invites all voters to join us in these events. For more information call 648-4731, e-maillwv@ez2.net or visit our Web site www.ez2.net/lwv.