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:

• 
  WA governor pressed to veto $1.8B piece of Democrats’ tax bill
  Grocers and restaurateurs are urging Gov. Ferguson to veto a surcharge in HB 2081 that they say will raise food prices statewide.
• 
  Letter: ‘It’s said sarcasm is the lowest form of wit’
  Amboy resident Thomas Schenk criticizes Olympia’s use of “emergency clauses” and other legislative tactics that limit public participation.
• 
  Opinion: What the 2025 legislature tells us about why Washington’s government keeps failing
  Todd Myers of the Washington Policy Center argues that Washington’s government fails because it resists humility, experimentation, and accountability in its policymaking.
• 
  Town hall: Republicans say they are the ones fighting for the working class
  Four Republican legislators gathered in Battle Ground for a town hall to address rising taxes, education concerns, and their push to support Washington’s working class.
• 
  Pooneh Gray Files for Vancouver City Council
  Pooneh Gray has filed to run for Position #1 on the Vancouver City Council, emphasizing public safety, homelessness solutions, and community justice.