Editorial: League helps inform voters

The Whidbey Island League of Women Voters can always be counted on to do its civic duty by sponsoring Candidates Nights before every election.

In Oak Harbor, Candidates Night is Thursday, Oct. 11, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the school district’s administration office.

The forums get the basic job done of introducing the voters to the candidates, letting the latter speak for a few minutes and then field some questions from the audience. Perceptive citizens can garner a lot of information not only from what is said, but from how the candidates speak and conduct themselves, and even their body language and how they dress. Nothing compares to the in-person experience when it comes to sizing up a candidate where they can’t hide behind printed slogans and pictures with all the blemishes removed by computer.

It promises to be an entertaining evening as the city of Oak Harbor has some colorful and informative candidates running for mayor, city council, school board and hospital district positions. The winners will help shape the city’s future, so be careful who you select.

The League of Women Voters forums bring real-life interaction to the campaign and are a necessary complement to newspaper articles, voter’s pamphlet statements and candidate advertisements. It takes a lot of work to stage a forum, so when you attend say thanks to a League member. The administration office is located at 350 South Oak Harbor Street, across the road from Kmart. Be there; you’ll learn a lot and likely enjoy yourself.

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