Sometimes, when the attack ads are flying fast and pundits are weighing in with ponderous opinions about what a candidate “really meant,” people want to hear the candidates speak for themselves.

La Plata County residents will have several opportunities to hear local candidates at debates and forums during the next month. But before you go, Trish Pegram, spokeswoman for the League of Women Voters of La Plata County, has some insights about the whole debate/forum process.

“The League has been doing this for a long time, and I think we have a pretty good process,” she said. “We have written guidelines and two people sorting questions into subject areas.”

What is a good question for a forum or debate?

The League has some guidelines:

No questions that are personal attacks.

No questions that are statements; although sometimes, if they can be reworded as a question, the League will do so.

Ask short, succinct questions.

Some people ask questions that clearly are aimed at one candidate or another. The League only accepts questions for every candidate for that office.

The League doesn’t ask questions about claims that candidates are “attacking on or defending against,” Pegram said. “That’s not how we do things.”

When the League receives more questions than time will allow, it often synthesizes them into one or two points to get the best coverage possible for a topic.

If a question might be misinterpreted because of wording, League members clarify it.

What should people look for when listening to the candidates?

“I personally look for answers that appear to be thoughtful and well-considered,” she said. “I want them to truly answer the question, and I really dislike all that political jargon.”

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Key 2014 election dates

Visit www.laplatacountyclerk.org for more information.
Oct. 14: Last day to submit an application to register through the mail, a voter registration agency, a voter registration drive or a local driver’s license exam facility.
Oct. 14: Ballots mailed.
Oct. 15 through Nov. 4: Ballots may be returned in a number of ways, including by mail, 24-hour drop-off boxes and drop-off locations at various days and times in Durango, Bayfield and Ignacio. The La Plata County Clerk & Recorder must receive them before 7 p.m. Election Day.
Voter Service and Polling Centers, where all voting services are available during regular business hours are:
La Plata Clerk & Recorder’s Office, 98 Everett St., Suite C in Bodo Industrial Park.
Bayfield Town Hall, 1199 Bayfield Parkway.
And just prior to the election at
La Plata County Fairgrounds, 2500 Main Ave.
Ballots also may be dropped off: In the days just before the election at Ignacio Town Hall, 540 Goddard Ave.

If you go

Several debates and forums are scheduled during the last few weeks before the election. All are open to the public.
7 p.m. Monday, La Plata County Fairgrounds Extension Building, 2500 Main Ave. La Plata-Archuleta Cattlemen’s Association Forum. Format includes introductions and timed periods for questions. Light refreshments will be served, and there will be an opportunity to meet the candidates informally afterward.
6:30-9 p.m. Wednesday, La Plata County Fairgrounds Extension Building, 2500 Main Ave. Durango Fraternal Order of Police Debate.
6:30-9 p.m. Sept. 30, Durango Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 4031, 1550 Main Ave. Durango Gun Club Debate limited to gun issues.
8 a.m. Oct. 7, DoubleTree Hotel, 501 Camino del Rio. Durango Chamber of Commerce/La Plata Forum.
6-8 p.m. Oct. 9, Durango City Council Chambers, 949 East Second Ave. League of Women Voters Forum, broadcast on City-Span 10.