With the 2020 primary election in North Carolina fast approaching, a number of candidate forums are scheduled in Henderson County throughout February for state and national races.

The primary takes place March 3. Early voting begins Feb. 13.

For more information, visit www.hendersoncountync.gov/elections.

Democratic Candidates Forum

This forum for Democratic candidates, hosted by the Henderson County Democratic Party, will be held from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. Saturday in the Hendersonville City Operations Center, 305 Williams St.

Attending will be candidates for: N.C. House Districts 113 (Sam Edney) and 117 (Josh Remillard), N.C. Senate District 48 (Brian Caskey, Cristal Figueroa, Najah Underwood) and U.S. House District 11 (Gina Collias, Moe Davis, Michael O’Shea, Phillip Price, Steve Woodsmall).

Attendees will have a chance to hear basics from each candidate and to ask questions.

To find a schedule for the event or more information, visit www.myhcdp.com/Wordpress/ or call HCDP at 828-692-6424 today or Friday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Women’s Issues Candidate Forum

This forum, featuring Democratic candidates and hosted by the Democratic Women of Henderson County, will be held at 5 p.m. Feb. 11 at Henderson County Democratic Headquarters, 1216 Sixth Ave. W., Suite 500.

Planning to attend are Gina Collias, Moe Davis, Michael O’Shea, Phillip Price, Steve Woodsmall, Brian Caskey, Cristal Figueroa, Najah Underwood and Josh Remillard.

Guests are invited to bring a snack or sandwich to enjoy during the meeting.

Henderson County Republican Men’s Club Breakfasts

Republican candidates and voters are invited to the Henderson County Republican Men’s Club Breakfasts Feb. 15 and 26 at Dixie Diner, 1724 Brevard Road, from 7:30 to 9 a.m.

All Republican candidates whose names will appear on the March 3 Republican Primary ballot are encouraged to attend to present themselves before Republican voters.

All candidates will be given an equal opportunity to present themselves. For voters, this will be a chance to meet the candidates face to face and ask questions.

Voters are encouraged to attend bringing family, friends and neighbors to the events.

For more information call 828-329-4971 or e-mail noirs@aol.com

‘All Things Voting’

The League of Women Voters of Henderson County will host a program, “All Things Voting,” from 4-6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 20 in the Kaplan Auditorium of the Henderson County Public Library’s Hendersonville branch at 301 N. Washington St.

Community members will have the opportunity to learn and ask about current issues pertaining to voting as presenters cover many aspects of voting and elections.

Board of Elections Director Karen Hebb will speak about current voting regulations, while retired history teacher Paul Goebel will cover the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and what has happened to it.

Ron Katz, WNC social justice advocate, will discuss redistricting and fair maps, and Ernie Mowell, LWVHC vice president, will focus on the importance of the 2020 Census.

Sample ballots, early one-stop voting hours and locations and the LWVHC voter guide, VOTE411.org, will also be available. A question-and-answer period will follow the speakers’ presentations.

The event is free and open to the public.

For more information, visit www.lwvhcnc.org/.

Previous forums

Coverage of the Jan. 23 forum for Democratic congressional district 11 candidates in Buncombe County can be found at https://www.blueridgenow.com/news/20200127/wnc-democratic-house-candidates-spar-over-age-experience-guns-health-care.

Coverage of the Jan. 25 forum for Republican congressional candidates In Buncombe County can be found at https://www.blueridgenow.com/news/20200128/wnc-us-house-gop-candidates-united-on-guns-abortion-divided-on-jobs-liberal-cities