The last of three local candidate forums offered this month takes place Thursday, July 31. The forum provides a place for people in Albany County to meet primary election candidates for two contested races and ask them questions. It will take place at the Albany County Public Library from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

The League of Women Voters of Laramie and the Albany County Public Library are hosting the candidate forum to help inform the public about those running in the primary election.

Tomorrow’s forum will be for candidates running for both Albany County Attorney and Albany County Coroner. According to the Albany County Clerk website, four people have filed as candidates for Albany County Attorney with half the field running as Republicans and half as Democrats. In addition, three people have filed as candidates for Albany County Coroner with all running as Democrats.

Nancy Lockwood, chair of voter services at the League of Women Voters of Laramie, says the decision to combine the two offices into one forum was two-fold. She says the primary reason was the amount of candidates who are running for each office and the number of people who usually attend the forums for those offices. They wanted to make sure there was a full panel of people to question and a number of people attending to ask questions throughout the allotted time. In addition, she pointed out that absentee balloting has already begun, and they want to complete the forums so people can vote after hearing what the candidates have to say.

“The hope is that by having community members meet the candidates, have them address their questions about  community issues, hear responses to other questions, it will help them make a more informed choice when they are at the voting booth or filling out their ballots,” says Lockwood.

Lockwood says that the forum allows people to submit questions to candidates through a moderator. Questions will be answered in front of those attending, and candidates will have 90 seconds to answer the questions. In addition, time will be provided for people to meet with the candidates face to face.

Forums were held on the previous two Thursdays for those running for Albany County Commissioner and City of Laramie City Council, Ward Three.

Neither the Albany County League of Women Voters nor the Albany County Public Library support or oppose any candidates.

For a complete list of candidates filed for this year’s election, click here.

More From Y95 Country