The Peoria Chapters of the NAACP, the ACLU, the Peoria Christian Leadership Council and the Peoria Area League of Women Voters are partnering in a campaign to prevent voter suppression in Peoria. The self-described non-partisan effort is called “Let Me Vote!” and will kick off with a press conference at 5:30 p.m. Monday, September 24, at the Gateway building downtown. According to a press release, Peoria City Election Commission executive director Tom Bride and Peoria County Clerk Steve Sonnemaker are scheduled to speak on “the history of voter suppression in Peoria [and]…ways to prevent it in the forthcoming election.”
A candidate forum is scheduled immediately following the press conference. “All candidates in contested races for US Congress, Illinois State Senate and House, Peoria County offices and County Board have been invited to attend this event,” the press release stated. “The audience will be able to ask questions of these candidates.”
Admission is free, and refreshments will be served. Both events are open to the public.
The candidate forum scheduled for this evening has been cancelled. The candidates received the following e-mail today:
Dear Candidates,
Tonight’s Meet the Candidates scheduled for Wednesday, March 16, 6pm, The Peoria Theater has been Canceled.
Due to lack of confirmation for participation of the audience, we are canceling tonight’s event.
“We respect your time. If we cannot guarantee good attendance, then we are reluctant to continue forward with the event.
We wish you the best in your campaign and look forward to working with you in the future.
From a press release:
League of Women Voters Invites the Public
To Candidate Forum on Oct. 16
PEORIA – The League of Women Voters of Greater Peoria will host a candidate forum for three important races, at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2010, at the Weaver Ridge Golf Club, 5100 N. Weaver Ridge Blvd.
The candidates who have agreed to attend are:
- For the 18th District Congressional Seat: D.K. Hirner, Democrat, and Sheldon Schafer of the Green Party. (Republican incumbent Aaron Schock is unable to attend the event.)
- For Peoria County Recorder of Deeds: Evonne Fleming, Democrat and Nancy Horton, Republican.
- For Peoria County Board District 3: Lynn Scott Pearson, Democrat and Karrie Alms, Republican.
- For Peoria County Board District 13: Randy Stevens, Democrat and James Fennell, Republican.
The candidates will make statements and answer questions from the audience. The event is free and open to the public.
An optional light breakfast for $7.50 will be available for purchase at 8:30 a.m.
Reservations will be appreciated, and can be made by calling 309/691-2167.
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