The meeting was televised live on VSU-TV Channel 20 and featured the candidates who are running for office. Dr. James Peterson, political science department head and professor, presided the event. The forum gave each candidate a two minute opening statement, and a one minute closing statement and time at the end of the meeting to respond to any audience questions.

This year’s meeting gave faculty, staff and students who plan on voting on November 3rd a chance to cast their votes for this election and other elections for the first time.

Any Lowndes County voter who is registered by October 5 and is attending class, teaching or working on campus can participate in preliminary voting from 8am to 5pm the full week before every election in the University’s Center’s Executive Dining Room, said the Lowndes County Board of Elections and Registration. VSU will stand as the official precinct for on campus students during Election Day.

VSU was given this opportunity as a result of collaboration between VSU’s College Democrats, College Republicans and Deb Cox, supervisor of elections for Lowndes County. Together this collaboration expects this new and convenient opportunity will allow a larger turnout from young voters and way for their voices to be heard.

The forum also offered an opportunity for student voters and others to become informed about the local election and to become fully engaged in the political process.

If you would like more information on the forum or any upcoming events you can contact Martha Leakes at 229 333 5756 or at mleake@valdosta.edu.