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Where do local candidates stand on the issues?
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To the editor:


The local League of Women Voters of Great Bend/Barton County is active in organizing yearly candidate forums for contested races to help the community understand where candidates stand on the issues. LWV appreciates partnering with the Great Bend Senior Center on Oct. 5 and the Hoisington Friendship House on Oct. 12 to provide locations for the recent two candidate forums. 

Reporters from the Great Bend Tribune and the Great Bend Post have provided excellent newspaper and online coverage of these events. The GB Post provided streaming coverage of the first forum. A total of 30 candidates were invited to the two forums and 18 were able to attend. Those contested races included mayors for Great Bend and Hoisington; city council positions for Great Bend, Hoisington, and Claflin; board of education positions for Great Bend, and Hoisington; and Barton Community College trustee positions. 

The Great Bend Chamber of Commerce has been helpful in providing more information on the candidates by posting biographical information on their Events page. You can learn more about the candidates’ backgrounds at: https://members.greatbend.org/events/calendar. 

When the October calendar comes up click on the Great Bend Candidate Forum on Oct. 5 or the Hoisington Candidate Forum on Oct. 12.

Another way to access the views of the candidates is the national League webpage Vote411org. Since 2006 the LWV Education Fund has provided candidate and voting information on this site. The two questions that were asked of each candidate at both forums are also found here. The League encourages the candidates to respond to their online questions as soon as possible so voters can be informed before casting their ballots. 

When the answers are submitted voters can view the responses on www.VOTE411.org Simply select “ON YOUR BALLOT” in the top right of the screen, select your state, then enter your address under “PERSONALIZED BALLOT.” Then, click through each of the relevant races. 

As a representative democracy, we best elect our leaders after first understanding their viewpoints and platforms. Remember to vote on or before Nov. 7, 2023.


Janice Walker

LWV- Great Bend President