The Barrow County Republican Party is hosting the first of its three candidate forums on Monday, June 9, starting at 7:30 p.m. at the Colleen Williams Theatre.

According to Republican Party chairman Ken Young, short speeches will be offered by the Republican candidates.

Event-goers can visit with the candidates after the formal program is dismissed to seek answers to their specific questions.

Campaign materials from all the candidates will be available at the Republican forums, according to Young.

All candidates are also being invited by the Barrow County Farm Bureau to participate in a Tuesday, June 12 forum at Barrow County Schools' Professional Development Center.

The candidates will introduce themselves and their campaign in brief addresses beginning at 7 p.m. The public is invited to attend, said Carolyn Hardy.

Other Republican Party-hosted forums will be Thursday, June 26, at 7:30 p.m. at Statham Elementary Auditorium, and Monday, July 7, at 7:30 p.m., in the Bramlett Elementary School Gym in Auburn.

Citizens for a Better Auburn hosted the first forum for candidate in the Sheriff's race on Thursday. (See that coverage in Wednesday's edition.)

The Barrow County Chamber of Commerce's Governmental Affairs Committee-sponsored "An Evening with the Candidates" will be June 23 at the Colleen O. Williams Theater starting at 6:30 p.m.

The Colleen O. Williams Theater is located in the Winder Cultural Arts Center on East Athens Street, in downtown Winder, next to the Winder Campus of Lanier Technical College.

Each candidate for which contested races will be held, combining both Republicans and Democrats on one stage, will have opportunities to answer questions generated from those received from the public and those from the Governmental Affairs Committee. Each candidate will also have an opportunity to speak to those present, after they have answered questions.

Candidates for the office of Clerk of Superior Court, Chief Magistrate, Sheriff, Commission Chairman and District Commissioners from 1, 2 and 3 will have the opportunity to be on stage to answer questions.

Candidates running unopposed for the position of Probate Judge, Tax Commissioner and County Board of Education Districts 2, 5, 6 and at-large seats will have the opportunity to be introduced, as they have no opposition.

"The Barrow County Chamber is proud to once again sponsor a forum that its members and the public can attend, so they may be better informed of the issues and positions of those running for public office," said Chamber President Tommy Jennings.

Related to the upcoming Primary, Election Supervisor Kristi Royston reminds voters that everyone can now vote by mail.

"I want to make people aware that anyone can now vote by mail as a matter of convenience rather than going their polling place on election day or coming to our office to vote absentee or advance vote the week of the Primary," said Royston.

With an eye on the rising gasoline prices, Royston said voting by mail is encouraged since the ballot comes right to your mailbox and your return to your mailbox.

"The only cost is postage to get it mailed back in to us," said Royston. You can now request an absentee ballot and vote in the comfort of your home - saving gas and time.

Royston said all the absentee ballots for the military have been mailed out and local ballots are now going out. Some absentee ballots are already being returned by voters. If you are not currently registered to vote, June 16 is the final day to register to participate in the July 15 Primary and Aug. 5 Primary Runoff.

Advance voting week will be July 7-11, the week before the July 15 Primary. On election day, polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. If you are waiting in line at 7 p.m., you will be allowed to vote.

Voters can request an absentee ballot from the Barrow County Board of Elections and Registration located in the Barrow County Administrative Annex at 233 E. Broad St., in Winder. You can also vote absentee with a reaaon in Royston's office as the machines are already set up. One person has already cast their ballot in the office.

Direct election-related questions, including verifying your registration status, to the Office of Elections & Voter Registration at (770) 307-3110..

Originally published Sunday, June 8, 2008