With one-stop voting starting Wednesday, Beaufort County voters will have two opportunities this coming week to get to know their candidates for local and state offices.

The first, coming Monday, is the annual candidate forum sponsored by the Washington-Beaufort County Chamber of Commerce Young Professionals and the Washington Daily News. Beginning at 6 p.m., the forum will be composed of candidates for N.C. Senate, N.C. House of Representatives, Beaufort County Board of Commissioners, Beaufort County Sheriff and District Court Judge.

Each candidate will have an opportunity to offer an introduction and information on their platform, as well as answer questions prepared in advance by the WBCCC Young Professionals and the Washington Daily News. Kellie Hopkins, director of the Beaufort County Board of Elections, will serve as moderator for the event. There is no charge to attend.

The second opportunity to learn about local candidates will come on Wednesday, as the Washington Daily News publishes its annual Election Guide as a special section in the Oct. 17 issue of the WDN.

During the month of October, candidates for state legislative offices, judicial offices and local positions have been afforded an opportunity to share information on their educational and professional backgrounds, their qualifications and their platforms, all of which will be shared in print in the publication.

In addition to the candidate profiles, the Election Guide will also contain sample ballots and information on where, when and how local residents can vote. In providing both of these services, the Daily News seeks to give voters important information to help inform their decision as they go to the voting booth.

“The act of voting is one of our most precious rights as citizens,” Daily News Publisher Ashley Vansant said. “It’s also one of our greatest responsibilities. Those elected to represent us in public office will shape the path of our future at the national, state and community level. To help keep you informed for these decisions, the Washington Daily News is proud to publish its 2018 Election Guide and to partner with the chamber of commerce in presenting the Beaufort County Candidate Forum.”