The League of Women Voters is sponsoring the Primary Election Candidates Forum on Tuesday, February 5, 2008, at the Calvert Pines Senior Center in Prince Frederick, Maryland.

Primary Election Day is Tuesday, February 12, 2008.

League of Women Voters to Sponsor Primary Election Candidates Forum on February 5, 2008

The League of Women Voters Calvert County (LWVCC) will sponsor a free, nonpartisan Primary Election Candidates Forum on Tuesday, February 5, 2008. The Forum will be held at the Calvert Pines Senior Center, 1450 Dares Beach Road, West in Prince Frederick, Maryland.

The public is invited to come and talk to the candidates one-on-one in the lobby and to receive information from the candidates from 6- 6:45 P.M. The Calvert County Literacy Council will also have a display in the lobby and will provide hands on training to familiarize voters with electronic voting machines.

The Candidates Forum will be held 7-9:30 P.M. The five candidates for the office of Representative in the U.S. 5th Congressional District and the seven candidates for the Board of Education who are listed on the Primary Election ballot have been invited to participate.

The Election of Members of the Board of Education By District

There are three seats to be filled on the Board of Education. A total of nine candidates have filed for offices in the Board of Education race: four in the First District; three in the Second District; and two in the Third District. The February 12, 2008, Primary Election will narrow the field to two candidates per District. Because there are only two candidates in the Third District, they will not appear on the Primary Election ballot, but will go directly to the General Election ballot on November 4, 2008. All voters may vote for candidates for the Board of Education in all Districts listed on the ballot.

In the General Election on November 4, the one candidate receiving the highest number of votes from each of the three Districts (1, 2, and 3) will be elected to serve on the Calvert County Board of Education. Board of Education candidates do not run for office from a particular party, so this is a nonpartisan race.

The League has decided that the two Board of Education candidates from District 3 will be acknowledged at the February 5 Primary Election Forum if they are present so that the public will be able to identify them. Because they are not on the Primary ballot, District 3 candidates will not participate in the Primary Forum. They will be part of the League’s General Election Candidates’ Forum on Tuesday, October 30, 2008, if they accept.

Forum Format

The format for the Forum is as follows: Each candidate participating in the Forum will be allowed two (2) minutes to give an opening statement and two (2) minutes to give a closing statement. Each candidate will be allowed 90 seconds (1 minute and 30 seconds) to respond to each question asked by the moderator; no extra time will be allowed to rebut questions. League of Women Voters Calvert County President Kathleen Riley is the Forum moderator. Candidates will be asked questions from the audience as well as questions developed by the League.

Audience questions must be written on League provided 3x5 cards which will be available at the Forum. Annette Funn is the League Voter Education Chairman and the Screen Team Chairman.

Primary Election Voters Guide

The Primary Election Voters Guide Editor Frances Poling, states that the League will publish a Primary Election Voters Guide for the public that provides nonpartisan information about the election as well as candidates’ responses to questions asked by the League. The Guide will appear in the February 6, 2008, issue of the Calvert Independent newspaper. It will also be distributed in the libraries, schools and other locations a few days before the February 12 Primary Election. The Guide will be available on the League’s Web site, www.lwvmd.org/calvert, in late January 2008.

League Boasts A Proud History

The League of Women Voters was born in 1920 out of the struggle to get the right for women to vote. LWVUS was organized when the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was passed to give women the right to vote. It took 70 years to obtain the right for women to vote in the U.S. The League of Women Voters, Calvert County, MD was chartered in 1969.

The League is a nonpartisan political organization that encourages informed and active participation in government; works to increase understanding of major public policy issues; and influences public policy through research, education and advocacy. The League’s nonpartisan policy means that the League does not support or oppose any political party or candidate for elected public office. This nonpartisan policy is key to the League’s reputation and adds strength to the League’s position on issues. Check out League programs at its website on www.lwvmd.org/calvert. Questions regarding the Forum or the League of Women Voters may be directed to its voice mail at 410-586-2176; your call will be returned promptly.

Thank You, Kathleen Riley, President & Annette Funn, Voter Education Chair

410-586-2176 voice mail

League of Women Voters of Calvert County Maryland P.O. Box 1510, Prince Frederick, Maryland 20678-1510