Democratic & Republican Parties Have Announced Candidate Forums in the coming weeks.

With the 2020 primary election in North Carolina fast approaching, a number of candidate forums are scheduled in Henderson County throughout February for state and national races.

The primary takes place March 3. Early voting begins Feb. 13.

For more information, visit www.hendersoncountync.gov/elections.

Republican Party

Republican candidates on the March 3 Republican primary ballot will have an opportunity to introduce themselves to Republican voters during four meet-the-candidates breakfasts in January and February.

The events are Saturday, Jan. 18; Wednesday, Jan. 22, Saturday, Feb. 15 and Wednesday, Feb. 26, at the Dixie Diner in Laurel Park. The Republican Party encouraged candidates for statewide office and those who will be on the primary ballot in Henderson and Transylvania counties to appear.

Democratic Party

The Democratic Party is hosting a candidate forum 1-3:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 1, at thr city Operations Center, 305 Williams St., for candidates for state House Districts 113 and 117, Senate District 48, and the 11th Congressional District 11. Schedule:

1 p.m. Introduction
1:05 District 113 Speaker(1): Sam Edney.
1:15 District 117 Speakers(2): Danae Aicher, Josh Remillard.
1:35 Q & A for state House.
1:45 District 48 Speakers(3): Brian Caskey, Cristal Figueroa, Najah Underwood.
2:15 Q & A for state Senate.
2:25 District 11 Speakers(5): Gina Collias, Moe Davis, Michael O’Shea, Phillip Price, Steve Woodsmall.
3:15 Q & A for congressional seat.
3:30 Closing.

Women’s Issues Candidate Forum

Planning to attend are Gina Collias, Moe Davis, Michael O’Shea, Phillip Price, Steve Woodsmall, Brian Caskey, Cristal Figueroa, Najah Underwood and Josh Remillard.

Guests are invited to bring a snack or sandwich to enjoy during the meeting.

‘All Things Voting’

The League of Women Voters of Henderson County will host a program, “All Things Voting,” from 4-6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 20 in the Kaplan Auditorium of the Henderson County Public Library’s Hendersonville branch at 301 N. Washington St.

Community members will have the opportunity to learn and ask about current issues pertaining to voting as presenters cover many aspects of voting and elections.

Board of Elections Director Karen Hebb will speak about current voting regulations, while retired history teacher Paul Goebel will cover the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and what has happened to it.

Ron Katz, WNC social justice advocate, will discuss redistricting and fair maps, and Ernie Mowell, LWVHC vice president, will focus on the importance of the 2020 Census.

The event is free and open to the public.

For more information, visit www.lwvhcnc.org/.

Early voting

Early voting starts Thursday, Feb. 13, and runs through Saturday, Feb. 29. Hours are 8 a.m.-7:30 p.m. weekdays through Feb. 28 and 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 29. One stop-voting locations are the Board of Elections office, 75 East Central St.; Etowah Library, 101 Brickyard Road, Etowah; Flat Rock Village Hall, 110 Village Center Drive, Flat Rock; and Fletcher Town Hall, 300 Old Cane Creek Road, Fletcher.