Richardson ISD Candidate Forum Cancelled

The League of Women Voters of Richardson (LWV-R) and cosponsor, the Richardson Independent School District (RISD) Council of PTAs, planned to hold a forum for candidates vying for RISD Board of Trustees Places 3, 4, and 5.  The forum was to be held on Wednesday, April 20, 2016, at the Richardson ISD Administration Building Auditorium.

The candidates for the May 7, 2016 election are:
• George Clayton, Place 3, Ballot Position 1
• Kris Oliver, Place 3, Ballot Position 2
• Katie Patterson, Place 4
• Eron Linn, Place 5

In recent years, LWV-R forums have followed the same format:
1. The question-and-answer portion of the candidate forums is limited to those candidates who are opposed, thus allowing more time for voters to get to know the candidates and be able to make an informed decision when they vote.
2. All candidates, whether opposed or not, are invited to give a closing statement.

George Clayton, one of the two candidates for the only contested seat, declined the League’s invitation to participate in the April 20, 2016, forum.  According to the policies of the League of Women Voters, a candidate forum for a particular office cannot be held if only one candidate for that office appears.  Without Mr. Clayton's participation, there would only be one candidate participating in the forum for each of Places 3, 4, and 5. Therefore, we had no option but to cancel the scheduled forum.

The League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan political organization, encourages the informed and active participation of citizens in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy.  Membership is open to men and women of all ages.  With more than 94 years experience and almost 800 state and local affiliates, the League is one of America’s most trusted organizations.