At every election, communities turn to the League to provide trusted, nonpartisan and experienced moderating at candidate forums for local city councils and school boards. Candidate forums are the essence of grassroots democracy; voters attending forums are engaged (and sometimes enraged!) because the issues discussed have an immediate, direct impact on their daily lives. The candidates themselves are far from polished professionals. They also tend to present a heartening image of the diversity that makes our area such a wonderful place to live. Several candidates announced proudly that they were first-generation immigrants or children of immigrants, and running for office to them means realizing the American dream.

In October, LWV-PA provided moderators, question sorters, and timekeepers at the following forums:

October 3: La Cañada School Board

October 4: Sierra Madre City Council

October 10: Pasadena School Board

October 12: Alhambra City Council

October 17: Duarte City Council

October 19: San Gabriel City Council

October 27: Duarte School Board

Because all but one of these were held in person—unlike in 2020, when we had to hold all forums as webinars through our LWV-PA Zoom account, due to COVID—video recordings were made by our sponsor and host organizations. You can view several of the forums through our Candidate Forums page.

The overwhelming success of the candidate forums was due to the amazing work done by our dedicated LWV-PA volunteers. The great public appreciation of the League volunteers was evident at all the forums. The following wonderful members deserve all our thanks:

Hester Bell

Jean Buennagel

Toni Cavanagh Johnson

Robbie Davis

Joe DesBarres        

Maureen Johnston

Valerie Jones

Veronica Jones

Ruth Judkins

Dorothy Keane

Kathy Kunysz

Karen Roberson

Bonnie Skolnik

Susan Sosin

Jane Wallace