League of Women Voters to hold 'Meet the Candidates Night'

MILFORD — The Pike County League of Women Voters is sponsoring "Meet the Candidates Night" on Tuesday, May 9, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Pike County Public Library in Milford.
County level and school district candidates have been invited to meet voters prior to the Democratic and Republican primaries to be held on Tuesday, May 16. Although only Republican and Democratic voters can participate in the spring primaries, independent voters are welcome to come and meet candidates who may potentially be on the general election ballot in the fall.
The Pike County offices up for election upon are county sheriff and two magisterial district judgeships: District 60-3-01, covering Milford Borough, Milford Township, Matamoras and Westfall Township; and 60-3-03, covering Dingman, Lackawaxen and Shohola Townships.
Board member candidates for the Delaware Valley School District have also been invited to attend. Local township candidates are welcome to attend. Primary sample ballots for each township are available on the official Pike County Board of Elections website at pikepa.org.
Meet and mingleThis is neither a forum nor debate, but an opportunity for voters to meet the candidates. Each candidate will give a brief introductory statement. Afterward, the candidates will have the opportunity to mingle and talk one on one with voters.
In addition, the Pike County Board of Elections will provide a demonstration of the county’s voting machine, with an opportunity for voters to practice, ask questions, or otherwise become more familiar with the electronic voting process.
Primary elections are importantTo emphasize the importance of local primary elections, Nadeen Manzoni of the Pike County Board of Elections, who will be on hand for the demonstration, reminds voters that, "Your elected local officials decide how much you will pay in school, county, and township taxes. They make zoning decisions that affect your property values. They decide on daily education standards for every Pike County child."
"Meet the Candidates Night is important," said Liz Forrest, president of the Pike County League of Women Voters. "The spring primary election narrows the field of candidates to choose from in the upcoming November general election, which will be held this year on Tuesday, Nov. 7. As often as not where local offices are concerned, elections have already been decided by the spring primary by one party or the other.
"Sometimes candidates not on the ballot are written in during the primary election and then go on to win the office," she continued. "The Pike County DA's race in 2015 is a perfect example. This means your participation in the primary process can be decisive in determining the final candidate list - or the office itself. It's important to see to it that your interests are represented."
No endorsement, just information The League of Women Voters never endorses any political candidates or parties, but works to be sure that helpful and timely non-partisan information is available about all aspects of the voting process.
"Our ‘Meet the Candidates Night’ is still new in Pike County, but has already made a difference in political awareness," Forrest said.
The Pike County Public Library is located at 119 East Hartford Street, Milford. Besides the availability of a practice voting machine, help will be available to check voter registrations and to provide election day information.
For more information on the Pike County local League of Women Voters, visit www.lwvpike.org.