It's official now; there won't be a candidate forum between Gov. Kay Ivey and Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox organized by the League of Women Voters of Alabama.

The league announced today it has withdrawn its invitations to the candidates because it has not heard directly from Ivey.

"Since we have not received a response directly from the Governor and the election is fast approaching, we have decided to direct our voter information efforts elsewhere," League President Barbara Caddell said in a news release.

Maddox had accepted the invitation. Ivey has repeatedly said she has no plans for a debate with Maddox.

"Because the Governor has not displayed any interest in a forum, the people of Alabama have lost an opportunity to compare candidates in this way," Caddell said. "We are sad and disappointed but it is the people of Alabama who have really lost out."

Ivey defeated three Republican challengers in the June primary without a debate. She has repeatedly said the voters know her record.

"They know what I stand for," Ivey said two weeks ago when asked about the league's invitation. "I'm out amongst them every day and they know we're creating jobs and putting folks back to work and working to improve education. So, I don't need a debate."

Maddox did debate his opponents before winning the Democratic primary and first challenged Ivey to a series of debates in July. Maddox has said voters need a chance to compare the candidates approaches to solving the state's pressing problems.

"Gov. Ivey doesn't owe me a debate," Maddox said last month. "She does owe the people of Alabama."

The election is Nov. 6, 41 days from today.