When and how to watch local election forums in SLO County
Election season in San Luis Obispo County is in full swing, but this year it looks a little different.
Candidates competing for San Luis Obispo County’s votes are participating in online forums rather than in-person debates due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The League of Women Voters, community organizations and chambers of commerce throughout the county have scheduled Zoom forums for many local election races.
Nearly all of the Zoom forums will be free and available for playback.
Here’s when, where and how to watch candidate forums:
San Luis Coastal Unified school board forum
Tuesday, Oct. 13, at 2 p.m.
The League of Women Voters of San Luis Obispo County and the San Luis Coastal Unified School District are hosting a forum for San Luis Coastal Unified school board candidated Tuesday, Oct. 13 from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Access to the Zoom event will be available on the SLCUSD website. A video replay for those unable to watch the live event will be available on the SLCUSD’s YouTube channel and the League of Women Voters website at http://lwvslo.org/candidates-forums-2020.
Paso Robles Joint Unified school board forum
Wednesday, Oct. 21, at 6 p.m.
Students of the Advanced Placement Government Class at Paso Robles High School will host a forum for Paso Robles Joint Unified School District board candidates, according to a news release.
The forum will be streamed on the Paso Robles Joint Unified School District YouTube channel Wednesday, Oct. 21 at 6 p.m.
Templeton Unified school board forum
Wednesday, Oct, 21, at 7 p.m.
The Templeton Chamber of Commerce is hosting a school board candidate forum via Zoom, according to a news release. The free forum is scheduled for Oct. 21 at 7 p.m. Questions for candidates may be submitted at info@templetonchamber.com
The online event is limited to 100 participants. Registration prior to the event is required.
State Senate and Assembly forum
Monday, Sept. 28, at 4:30p.m.
The South County Chambers of Commerce, Morro Bay Chamber of Commerce and San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce are hosting a Zoom forum featuring state senate and assembly member candidates. The forum is scheduled for Sept. 28 from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Attendees must register for the forum on the San Luis Obispo chamber’s website in advance and will be sent the Zoom link upon registration. The forum costs $15 for chamber members and $25 for future members.
San Luis Obispo City Council forum
Monday, Sept. 14, and Sunday, Oct. 11, at 5:30 p.m.
The San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce held a San Luis Obispo City Council candidates forum Sept. 14 via Zoom.
For those who missed it, the candidate’s opening and closing statements can be viewed on the chamber’s Facebook page. The chamber also collected responses from candidates regarding Measure G-20, hosing and what candidates feel key issues are.
Another city council member candidate forum will be hosted by the League of Women Voters in with The Gala Pride & Diversity Center and The Diversity Coalition of San Luis Obispo Count on Sunday, Oct. 11.
The hour-long virtual forum will begin at 6 p.m. Sunday, however California Assemblymember Evan Low will speak from 5:30 p.m. to 5:50 p.m., according to the League of Women Voters.
The forum will be live streamed on the Gala Pride & Diversity Center’s Facebook page, as well as on the League of Women Voters website at http://lwvslo.org/candidates-forums-2020. The video will be accessible to the public for viewing after the event as well.
Questions for candidates can be submitted to info@lwvslo.org and must include “SLO City Council Forum” in the email subject line. The deadline to submit questions is Friday, Oct. 9 at 5 p.m.
San Luis Obispo mayor and city council forum
Wednesday, Sept. 30, at 5:30 p.m.
SLO U40 is hosting a virtual candidate forum for both mayoral and city council candidates in San Luis Obispo. The event is geared toward San Luis Obispo residents under the age of 40, according to SLO U40.
To register for the free event, visit tiyurl.com/slou40-forum
Atascadero City Council forum
Thursday, Sept. 24, at 7 p.m.
The Atascadero Chamber of Commerce is hosting a city council candidate online forum Thursday, Sept. 24 at 7 p.m.
People can register for the Zoom call in advance or watch the event via Facebook Live on the Atascadero chamber’s Facebook page.\
Atascadero mayor forum
Thursday, Oct. 1 at 7 p.m.
The Atascadero Chamber of Commerce is hosting a mayoral candidate online forum Thursday, Oct. 1 at 7 p.m.
People can register for the Zoom call in advance or watch the event via Facebook Live on the Atascadero chamber’s Facebook page.
Cambria Community Services District forum
Thursday, Sept. 24 at 6 p.m.
The League of Women Voters of San Luis Obispo County and the Cambria Lions Club are hosting a forum for Cambria Community Services District candidates Thursday, Sept. 24 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Access to the live stream and a video replay for those unable to watch the live event will be available via SLO-Span at www.slo-span.org and the League of Women Voters website at http://lwvslo.org/candidates-forums-2020.
Questions for candidates can be submitted to info@lwvslo.org and must include “Cambria CSD Forum” in the email subject line. The deadline to submit questions is Tuesday, Sept. 22, at 5 p.m.
Morro Bay mayor and city council forum
Monday, Sept. 28, at 5:30 p.m.
The League of Women Voters is partnering with the Morro Bay Chamber of Commerce to moderate a forum for Morro Bay mayor and city council candidates. The forum is scheduled for Monday, Sept. 28, from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Access to the live stream and a video replay for those unable to watch the live event will be available on SLO-Span at www.slo-span.org and on the League of Women Voters website at http://lwvslo.org/candidates-forums-2020.
Questions for candidates can be submitted to info@lwvslo.org and must include “Morro Bay Forum” in the email subject line. The deadline to submit questions is Friday, Sept. 25, at 5 p.m.
Grover Beach mayor and city council forum
Tuesday, Sept. 29, at 4 p.m.
The South County Chambers of Commerce is hosting a Grover Beach candidate forum for residents to meet their local candidates and ask them questions.
For virtual login information, RSVP on the chambers’ website.
Pismo Beach mayor and city council forum
Wednesday, Sept. 30, at 6 p.m.
The League of Women Voters is partnering with the South County Chambers of Commerce to moderate a forum for Pismo Beach mayor and city council candidates. The forum is scheduled for Sept. 30 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Access to the live stream and replay will be available on the League website at http://lwvslo/candidates-forums-2020.
Attendees wishing to see the forum live can RSVP for the free event and receive the login or call-in details at southcountychambers.com.
Questions for candidates can be submitted to info@lwvslo.org and must include “Pismo Beach Forum” in the email subject line. The deadline to submit questions is Monday, Sept. 28 at 5 p.m.
Arroyo Grande mayor and city council forum
Thursday, Oct. 1, at 6 p.m.
The South County Chambers of Commerce is hosting a candidate forum for residents of Arroyo Grande, giving them the opportunity to meet their local candidates and ask them questions.
People can RSVP on the chambers’ website to receive virtual login information.
Oceano Community Services District forum
Thursday, Oct. 1, at 6 p.m.
The League of Women Voters of San Luis Obispo County and the Oceano Advisory Council are hosting a forum for Oceano Community Services District candidates on Thursday, Oct. 1, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Access to the live stream and a video replay for those unable to watch the live event will be available on SLO-Span at www.slo-span.org and on the League of Women Voters website at http://lwvslo.org/candidates-forums-2020.
Questions for candidates can be submitted to info@lwvslo.org and must include “Oceano CSD Forum” in the email subject line. The deadline to submit questions is Tuesday, Sept. 29, at 5 p.m.
This article will be updated with a list of more forums as more information becomes available. If you know of a city council, mayor, community service district or school board forum in San Luis Obispo County, please email cgaribay@thetribunenews.com with information.
This story was originally published September 21, 2020 at 11:04 AM.
