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BEMIDJI -- The Citizens for an Informed Electorate will host forums starting next week for local, county and state races in the Nov. 6 General Election.

Forums will be for the Bemidji City Council, Bemidji ÍáÍáÂþ»­ Board, Beltrami County Commission and for state representatives.

Forums will be held at Bemidji City Hall, 317 Fourth St. NW.

Here’s a list of the local debates:

• Tuesday, Oct. 16, 6:30 p.m.: Bemidji ÍáÍáÂþ»­ Board. Candidates for three seats are are Board Chair Carol L. Johnson, board member Shawn Whiting, Gary Rozman, Jeffrey Lind, Wenona Kingbird, Sarah Young, Bonnie Solomon, Jack Aakhus.
• Tuesday, Oct. 30, 6 p.m.: Bemidji City Council, Wards 2, 4 and at-large. Candidates are: At-large: Don Heinonen and Jim Thompson; Ward 2: Michael J. Beard and Jaime Thibodeaux; Ward 4: Incumbent Richard Lehmann and Emelie E. Rivera.
• Tuesday, Oct. 30, 7:30 p.m.: Bemidji Mayor. Candidates are incumbent Rita Albrecht and Joe Vene.
• Thursday, Nov. 1, 6 p.m.: Beltrami County Commissioner, District 1. Candidates are Craig Gaasvig and Natalie Grosfield.
• Thursday, Nov. 1, 7:30 p.m., State House District 2A and 5A. Candidates are: 2A: Incumbent Matt Grossell and Michael Northbird; 5A: Incumbent Matt Bliss and John Persell.

The forums will be televised live on First City cable TV Channel 2. All forums will be recorded and later streamed on Northern Community Radio’s website (KAXE/KBXE) and rebroadcast on First City TV, according to a release.

Moderators will be Maggie Montgomery, station manager for Northern Community Radio (KAXE/KBXE) and Michael Naylor, retired Bemidji business owner.

The CIE was formed in 2008 and seeks to provide an outlet for the public to gain more knowledge about candidates in order to make an informed decision at the polls, the release said.

The forums will allow candidates to make opening and closing statements. CIE volunteers will collect written questions on 4x6 index cards from the audience, screen them for duplication or pertinence, direct them to candidates, rotating who answers first. Questions should cover the gamut of issues, as forums are open to the public.