A forum will give citizens a chance to ask questions and get to know candidates seeking local office in this year’s Municipal Elections at 7 p.m. tonight in the Brown Ballroom of the Bone Student Center.

Mayoral candidates Chris Koos, Victor Connor and JeVaughn Martin will join city council candidates Jarrod Rackauskas, Kevin McCarthy, Scott Preston, Gary Ohler, Ron Ulmer and Cheryl Gaines at the Normal Municipal Elections Forum.

The purpose of the forum is to educate citizens on the candidates and to provide an opportunity to give input and ask questions about the issues that concern them, Steve Hunt, professor and associate director of the School of Communication and co-chair of ISU’s American Democracy Project (ADP), said.

He said he anticipates that topics covered may include budget priorities, development of Uptown Normal and relationships between the town and ISU.

“I hope our students come away with a much better understanding of the importance of these local offices,” Hunt said.  “The forum will provide an opportunity for students to learn about the candidates seeking local office and prepare them to make informed decisions on election day.”

Mitchell Larkins, secretary of political actions with the Student Government Association (SGA), said they are hoping to get more student involvement in the electoral process.

It is a good opportunity for students to get connected with the local government, Larkins said.

“This is a launching pad for the Municipal Elections, and I encourage all students to not only encourage their friends to vote, but to vote themselves,” Larkins added.

The forum is open to the public and sponsored by ADP, SGA, College Democrats and College Republicans, McLean County League of Women Voters and Heartland Community College.

The election will be held April 9.