Candidates forums filling October calendar

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We are now five weeks away from the midterm elections and, in the next few days, Vermonters will begin receiving their ballots in the mail from the Secretary of State’s Office.

Across our area, organizations are sponsoring forums where members of the public can hear directly from candidates for the Vermont House and Senate on the issues they care about. We’ve compiled a list of forums that you can attend. We’ll update the list as we learn of others.

Tuesday, Oct. 13: Hoser, Charlton forum in Chester

A forum, co-sponsored by the Chester Town Democratic Committee and the Chester Republican Committee, will feature the Vermont House candidates for the Windsor-Windham District, Will Hoser and Tom Charlton. The forum – which will take place from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 13 at Chester Town Hall, 556 Elm St. – will feature introductions by the candidates, responses to prepared questions and an opportunity for audience questions.  The Windsor-Windham District is made up of Chester, Athens, Grafton and Windham.

Thursday, Oct. 15: Legislative candidates forum in Ludlow

Friends of Ludlow Auditorium will be presenting a forum for local candidates seeking seats in the House and Windsor County candidates looking to serve in the Senate. The forum will be held at 7 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 15 in the 2nd floor auditorium of Town Hall, 37 Depot St. in Ludlow. The event will be led by a moderator who will address questions to the candidates.

Sunday, Oct. 18: Charlton, Hoser meet in Grafton

The two candidates on the ballot vying to represent Grafton in the Vermont House of Representatives in the November election will participate in a forum at the Town Hall, 117 Main St. in Grafton from 4 to 6 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 18. Grafton is part of the Windsor-Windham State Legislative District, which also includes Chester, Windham and Athens. Incumbent Tom Charlton and challenger Will Hoser, both of Chester, will introduce themselves to Grafton voters and answer prepared questions and voter questions from the floor in a forum moderated by Town Moderator Dave Culver. This forum is co-sponsored by the chairs of the Town Republican Party and Democratic Party committees.

Previous forums:

Thursday, Oct. 1: Regional candidates forum in Rockingham

Building Bright Futures will host an in-person regional candidate forum at the Rockingham Free Public Library, 65 Westminster St., in Bellows Falls from 5 to 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 1.

The forum is an opportunity for families, the early childhood workforce and community members to hear from local candidates for Vermont’s House and Senate about where they stand on issues related to children and families.

Sunday, Oct. 4: Charlton, Hoser in Athens

The Athens Historic Preservation Society and the Athens Brick Meetinghouse Committee will host candidates for the the Windsor-Windham District (comprised of Athens, Grafton, Windham and Chester) at the Meetinghouse, 2 Meetinghouse Road in Athens at 2 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 4. Attendees will have the opportunity to mingle with incumbent Rep. Tom Charlton and challenger Will Hoser before and after the formal portion of the meeting.

Sunday, Oct. 4: Meet Democratic candidates in Weston

Meet and Greet, sponsored by the Weston Democratic Committee, will feature conversations with House candidate Chris Morrow and Windsor Senate candidates Elizabeth Burrows, Joe Major and Rebecca White.  The event will run from 4:30 to 6 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 4 at the Hub Restaurant, 705 Main St. in Weston. Light refreshments will be available.