AP file photo Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., speaks during an election night campaign event at the Big Sandy Superstore Arena on April 26 in Huntington, West Virginia.

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By Arlene Martinez, amartinez@vcstar.com

As he continues his effort to sway California voters before the June 7 primary, Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders will stop by Ventura.

The Vermont senator will be speaking at a rally at Ventura College on Thursday, said Tim Harrison, the college's interim vice president for business and administrative services.

Campaign officials are planning to visit the college on Tuesday to hammer out details, Harrison said. According to paperwork filed by the campaign, Sanders is planning to speak around midday.

Sanders' campaign confirmed Monday that the doors to the event on the campus' West Field would open at 10 a.m. While the event is free and open to the public, attendees were encouraged to RSVP at Sanders' event website.

For security reasons, those who plan on attending were advised not to bring bags and to limit their belongings to small items, such as keys and cellphones. Also, weapons, sharp objects, chairs and signs or banners on sticks will not be allowed through security, Sanders' campaign said.

Sanders faces an uphill climb to unseat Democratic challenger Hillary Clinton. If he does it, he'll need the state's help.

California's prize is big: 475 pledged delegates. Sanders, who is campaigning through Southern California this week, continues to trail Clinton in several polls.

This is the first time a Democratic presidential candidate in this election has visited Ventura County.

In September, 11 Republicans seeking their party's presidential nomination debated at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library & Museum in Simi Valley. The group included Donald Trump, the Republican Party's likely candidate.

Ventura College is located at 4667 Telegraph Road. Parking will be available on the west and east lots of the college campus and on public streets.