Candidates in three races have notified the League that they cannot attend the forums

VANCOUVER – The League of Women Voters of Clark County has issued a revised schedule for candidate forums ahead of the Nov. 5 general election. 

Candidates in three races have notified the League that they cannot attend the forums: Paul Harris in the Legislative District 17 Senate race, John Ley in the Legislative District 18 Representative Position 2 contest and Peter Abbarno in Legislative District 20 Representative Position 1 race. 

The League has a “no-empty chair” policy, meaning forums cannot be held with a solo candidate when the other declines to participate, to avoid any unfair advantage for either candidate. The forums, sponsored by the nonpartisan League of Women Voters of Clark County, will be aired on government access channel CVTV and links will be posted on cvtv.org. 

The forums will be open to the public; however, space will be very limited at some venues. 

The forums are scheduled as follows: 

Sept. 30 – 6:30-8 p.m., Cowlitz/Clark Fire District, 21609 NE 72nd Ave., Battle Ground 

• Legislative District 18, State Senator 

Oct. 1 – 6:30-8 p.m., Cowlitz/Clark Fire District, 21609 NE 72nd Ave., Battle Ground 

• Clark Public Utilities Commissioner, Position 1 
• County Councilor, District 4 

Oct. 5 – 2-4 p.m., Camas Public Library, 625 NE 4th Ave 

• Legislative District 17, State Representative, Position 2 
• Legislative District 18, State Representative, Position 1 
• Clark County Councilor, District 3 

Oct. 7 – 6-8 p.m., Vancouver Community Library, Columbia Room, 901 C Street 

• Legislative District 49, State Senator 
• Legislative District 49, State Representative, Position 1 
• Legislative District 49, State Representative, Position 2 

The nonprofit League of Women Voters was founded by leaders of the women’s suffrage movement in 1920; for more than 100 years, the League has worked to empower voters and defend democracy. 

---

Also read:

• 
  Opinion: It’s not just the increased taxes that are driving businesses away
  Mark Harmsworth of the Washington Policy Center argues taxes, workforce challenges and economic uncertainty are driving businesses to relocate outside Washington.
• 
  Opinion: There is no such thing as a ‘free’ lunch, and an income tax isn’t more palatable because it offers one
  Elizabeth New of the Washington Policy Center argues the proposed Washington income tax and universal school meals policy reflect a broader state spending problem
• 
  State of the City: Vancouver mayor promotes arts and culture in her annual address
  Vancouver Mayor Anne McEnerny-Ogle highlighted arts initiatives, public safety investments and city development projects during her annual State of the City address.
• 
  VIDEO: WA House pulls an all-nighter as income tax debate continues
  Washington House lawmakers debated Senate Bill 6346 through the night as Republicans proposed amendments and raised concerns about economic impacts and constitutional questions.
• 
  Opinion: Democrat Party penalizes marriage in Washington
  Lars Larson argues that Washington’s newly passed income tax unfairly targets married couples by creating what he describes as a financial penalty for filing jointly.