Slate of election forums set for Putnam | Palatka Daily News, Palatka, Florida

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Election season is heating up in Putnam County as voters seek to learn more about the local candidates running for office.

In the coming weeks, there will be plenty of opportunities to hear from candidates in the county commission races, Palatka mayoral race and school board races.

Several local organizations are hosting public forums as residents consider who to support in the Aug. 23 primary and Nov. 8 general election.

Here is your guide to this season’s forums, all of which will be livestreamed on the Palatka Daily News Facebook page.

Daily News and SJR State forums

The Palatka Daily News and St. Johns River State College will be co-hosting election forums July 18 and July 26.

The forums are open to the public, but for those who cannot attend, all forums will be live-streamed on the college's YouTube page, https://youtube.com/user/SJRstate and on the Daily News Facebook page, https://facebook.com/palatkadailynews

Who: July 18 will see candidates for the Palatka mayoral race, Board of County Commission District 4 and Putnam County School Board District 5. On July 26, candidates for Putnam County School Board District 4 and Board of County Commission District 2 candidates will share their views.
When: Both forums will take place from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Doors open at 5:00 p.m.
Where: Valhalla Hall at SJR State’s Palatka campus, 5001 St. Johns Ave.
Format: Moderated Q&A.

SJR State President Joe Pickens said he hopes these events will help residents make educated decisions at the ballot box.

“Having forums where candidates can be asked questions is, in my opinion, a great way for people to be informed,” he said.

Palatka Daily News Editor Casmira Harrison said these forums are one of the most important services a local newspaper can offer to voters.

"Witnessing how a candidate thinks through a question or issue on the spot can give a voter insight into how that candidate will digest an issue on the dais," Harrison said.

Harrison also wants voters to know they can submit their proposed questions to her at charrison@palatkadailynews.com. All questions need to be submitted by 5 p.m. on July 15.

Woman’s Club of Palatka forums

The Woman’s Club of Palatka will host forums July 19 and Oct. 11 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Who: The forums are open to all candidates.
Where: The Woman’s Club of Palatka, 600 South 13th St.
Format: Q&A followed by meet and greet.
Notes: For the July 19 event, RSVP by July 12 by calling 386-972-7362 or emailing ericamichellekennedy@gmail.com.

Organizer Erica Kennedy emphasized how helpful it is to meet candidates in person instead of relying only on what they say online and in the press.

“It’s very important for people to actually go and speak to politicians,” Kennedy said.

Crescent City Woman’s Club forums

The Crescent City Woman’s Club will host forums Aug. 11 and Oct. 27 starting at 6:00 p.m.

Who: The forums are open to all candidates.
Where: The Crescent City Woman’s Club, 604 North Summit St.
Format: Candidate speeches followed by meet and greet.

Woman’s Club Member Rosemary Anderson said this was a valuable “opportunity to get some insights.”

“It’s great to give the people in the area an opportunity to see the candidate in person and evaluate their message,” Anderson said.

Bostwick Community Association forum

The Bostwick Community Association is also hosting a forum July 11 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Who: Candidates for Board of County Commission Districts 2 and 4.
Where: The Bostwick Community Center, 125 Tillman St.
Format: Meet and greet followed by a Q&A session starting at 7:00 p.m.

Judy Johnson, the secretary for the Bostwick Community Association, said this forum pushes commissioners to pay attention to Bostwick.

“Otherwise they forget about our little community and you never hear anything about it,” she said.

Have questions for the candidates?

The Palatka Daily News, in partnership with St. Johns River State College, is hosting candidate forums on July 18 and July 26. Voters who would like to submit questions for a particular race or races can email them to charrison@palatkadailynews.com by July 15.

Important Elections Dates

New Registration and Party Change Deadline: Monday, July 25.
Early Voting: BEGINS: Monday, Aug. 8; ENDS: Saturday, Aug. 20; 8:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m.
Early Voting Locations: Elections Office, 2509 Crill Ave., Suite 900, Palatka; Interlachen Community Center, 135 S. County Rd. 315, Interlachen; South Putnam Government Complex, 115 N. Summit St., Crescent City.