Every week, Next republishes an article from the City Manager’s Weekly Newsletter.
With November’s elections fast approaching, we’re pleased to share that a full slate of nonpartisan candidate forums has been confirmed in coordination with the League of Women Voters of Santa Monica.
If you recall, the City Council earlier this year asked that staff work with the League of Women Voters to create a robust, nonpartisan candidate forums ahead of our 2026 election cycle. Based on that direction, we’re excited to now share that the work has come together, with the complete schedule outlined below (keep in mind too… all forums run approximately 6:00–9:00 p.m.):
Tuesday, September 29 – SMMUSD School Board Candidate Forums, in partnership with the Santa Monica-Malibu PTA
Friday, October 2 – SMMUSD School Board & College Board of Trustees Candidate Forums, in partnership with the City of Santa Monica
Sunday, October 4 – City Council Candidate Forum, in partnership with the Committee for Racial Justice
Friday, October 9 – City Council & Rent Control Board Candidate Forums, in partnership with the City of Santa Monica
Wednesday, October 14 – City Council & Rent Control Board Candidate Forums, in partnership with the Community Corporation of Santa Monica
The two forums held in partnership with the City on October 2 and October 9 will take place in Council Chambers and will be recorded, so that community members who can’t attend in person can watch the full discussions afterward.
Importantly, the League of Women Voters will design and moderate all forums, and the City engaged the League in such a manner so as to ensure that our role is simply to provide the venue, recording, and coordination support that helps this information reach the broadest possible audience.
The League will also compile candidate information for VOTE411 (www.Vote411.org), its free
online nonpartisan election guide, and questions about the forums can be directed to
voterservice@lwvsantamonica.org.
An informed community is an empowered community, so please be sure to mark your calendars for this series of candidate forums that will kick off starting next month!
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