League of Women Voters Hays County sponsors political candidate forum

Candidates for the upcoming Hays County primary election will be featured in a public forum sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Hays County. The forum is set for Thursday, Feb. 13, at the San Marcos Activity Center, 501 E. Hopkins Street, at 6:30 p.m.

If two or more candidates in the same party are running for office in the primary, it is a contested race. Candidates who have been invited to speak include those running in contested races for sheriff, constables for districts 1 and 3, county court-at-law #3, and Texas House of Representatives District 45. Candidates in contested races will discuss their qualifications for the office and answer questions prepared by the League and from the audience. The forum will be live streamed on the LWV Hays County Facebook page. It will be available for viewing after the event.

As one League member said, "Seeing and hearing the candidates in person side-by-side lets me compare candidates’ understanding of what the office entails, their qualifications for the job, and the goals they want to accomplish by running. It helps me learn whether or not they have a clear understanding of what the position they are running for entails and how their background qualifies them for the position, and whether they have good ideas.”

In addition to the candidate forum, the LWV Hays County publishes, both online at VOTE411.org and in print as the Voters Guide, written responses from candidates sharing their positions on issues important to voters. Print guides will be available to the public at public libraries throughout the county as well as local businesses.

To access the non-partisan online guide to voting, visit Vote 411.org. Upon entering a home address, a citizen can access the ballot for his or her precinct and compare the candidates’ responses.

The League of Women Voters is a non-partisan organization dedicated to voter registration, education and participation. Created out of the effort to pass the 19th Amendment giving women the right to vote, the League neither supports nor opposes candidates or political parties at any level of government. Instead, the League works to register eligible voters, create opportunities to learn about the candidates, and encourage voter turnout. Members also study political issues, develop informed positions, and advocate for policies that support those positions on issues. This year marks the 100th anniversary of the organization. Membership is open to all.

The last day to register to vote for the primary was Feb. 3, 2020. In-person early voting begins Tuesday Feb. 18 and ends Friday, Feb. 28. Election date for the Primary is Tuesday, March 3. Hays County utilizes vote centers. On election day, a Hays county registered voter may vote at any polling location regardless of their precinct.

For more information about the League or the forum, email lwvhaysco@gmail.com or call 512-710-5793.