Meet the area candidates for Aug. 1 elections, primaries this week at Oak Ridge forums

The League of Women Voters of Oak Ridge is inviting the community to participate in two candidates forums this week - one for Anderson County candidates and another for Roane County candidates.

The forums will have the candidates for Tennessee state primary elections and county general elections as they appear on the election ballots for the Aug. 1 election. Early voting begins Friday, July 12.

Both candidate forums will be held on the Oak Ridge campus of Roane State Community College, Goff Building, Room 107. The forums:

Candidates without opposition will be introduced at the forums, according to a league news release issued Friday, July 5. However, all candidates with opposition will be introduced and they will also be given an opportunity to make an opening statement. They will be given equal opportunities to answer randomly selected questions from the audience. The forum will close with a closing statement from each candidate.

There will be an opportunity for the public to meet the candidates after each forum.

The League of Women Voters of Oak Ridge is described in the release as "a nonpartisan political organization for men and women. It encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy."