Day: September 17, 2026

League of Women Voters of Sarasota County announces candidate forums schedule

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First event set for Sept. 16, with candidates for Florida Senate District 22

This is an image from the League’s website.

The League of Women Voters of Sarasota County has confirmed five candidate forums for local races in the 2026 General Election, the nonprofit organization announced this week, with the first one scheduled for Sept. 16.

“In accordance with the League’s commitment to neutrality and equal treatment, additional forums will be scheduled if at least two candidates in each race agree to participate,” a news release explains. “The League is working to accommodate all invited candidates who have responded,” the release adds.

This year’s forums are being hosted in partnership with the nonprofit investigative journalism organization Suncoast Searchlight. Vilia Johnson, LWVSRQ co-president, and Emily Le Coz, Suncoast Searchlight executive editor-in-chief, will moderate the forums, the release says.

All of the forums will be live-streamed on the League’s YouTube channel and recorded for viewing on the League’s website, the release notes. Registration is not required to watch them.

Additionally, the Sarasota League is promoting the newly created United States Congressional District 16 Candidate Forum hosted by the League of Women Voters of Manatee County, the release points out.

The confirmed forums will be conducted as follows:

  • Florida Senate District 22 — Sept. 16, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
  • US Congressional District 16 — Sept. 23, noon to 1 p.m.
  • Sarasota City Commission — Oct. 7, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
  • North Port City Commission — Oct. 15, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
  • Venice City Commission — Oct. 23, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.

“All candidates have been invited,” the release points out. “Visit lwvsrq.org for livestream links and the latest forum information,” it says.

“The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan, grassroots nonprofit dedicated to empowering everyone to fully participate in our democracy,” the release explains. “The League never endorses, funds, or opposes any candidate running for office, regardless of their political party or whether the election is technically nonpartisan.”