Before the November election and the only local race on the ballot for a county office, voters will have a chance to hear from candidates in the upcoming forum being organized by the Polk County Chamber of Commerce.

Working around the COVID-19 restrictions that restrict gathering sizes but wishing to accommodate the public in being able to hear from the five candidates up for the Polk County Commission District 2 special election on November 3, the Chamber is hosting a virtual candidate forum this time around on October 1.

The Thursday evening event kicks off at 7 p.m. and though candidates will be gathered and socially distanced, the audience will be able to enjoy the forum from the comfort of their home via livestream being provided by the chamber.

Questions are being sought from the public, and those that end up as repeats will be filtered out. Candidates will be held to the general rules of time allowed for statements and answers as they have been established in previous Chamber-organized forums.

So far, candidates Glenn Robinson and Jody Bentley Smith have responded to say they will be attending the event. Commissioner Linda Liles, along with candidates Chris Roberson and Ricky Clark have also been invited to the event.

The District 2 special election will seek to fill the remaining time after December 2020 concludes the appointment allowed for Liles for the rest of the year. She’s seeking to retain the seat after the Commission voted to let her serve out the year this past spring following the resignation of former Commission Chair Jennifer Hulsey.

Due to the nature of the pandemic, do check back for updates on the Chamber forum. Questions can be submitted for review at info@polkgeorgia.com.

As in years past, questions that went unanswered from the forum will be sent out to candidates for written responses that will be posted online once they are received back.