The City Club of Eugene is putting voter education front and center this week with three free, public events focused on the upcoming November 3 elections. Residents of Eugene, Springfield and surrounding Lane County communities are invited to attend a state Senate candidate forum, a watch party for the governor’s debate, and a presentation on election security by the county’s top election official.
State Senate District 6 candidate forum – Thursday, Oct. 1, noon
At noon on Thursday, Oct. 1, the three candidates seeking the open seat in Oregon State Senate District 6 will speak at a forum held at Roaring Rapids Pizza Co., 4006 Franklin Blvd. in Glenwood. The event is co‑sponsored by the Springfield City Club and the League of Women Voters of Lane County.
The candidates are Republican Jack Tibbetts, Democrat Sierrah Williams, and Libertarian Caleb Ticer. They are running to replace Republican Cedric Hayden, who is barred from seeking reelection. While District 6 does not include the city limits of Springfield, it borders the city on its northern, eastern and southern edges and stretches into eastern Lane County as well as parts of Linn and Marion counties.
Governor’s debate watch party – Thursday, Oct. 1, 5 p.m.
Later that evening, the City Club will host a watch party for the televised gubernatorial debate between Democratic Gov. Tina Kotek and Republican state Sen. Christine Drazan. The gathering will take place at the Ford Alumni Center, 1720 E. 13th Ave., on the University of Oregon campus. Doors open at 5 p.m.; the debate, broadcast from a separate venue in Eugene, begins at 6 p.m.
This is the first head‑to‑head debate of the election season between the two major‑party contenders. Lookout Eugene‑Springfield is co‑sponsoring the event alongside the Oregon Journalism Project, KVAL‑TV and the UO School of Journalism and Communication. Registration is suggested but not required. The watch party is organized in partnership with the Wayne Morse Center for Law and Politics, the City Club of Eugene and the Springfield City Club.
Election‑security briefing – Friday, Oct. 2, noon
On Friday, Oct. 2, at noon, the City Club meets at its regular time in WOW Hall, 291 W. Eighth Ave., for a presentation by Lane County Clerk Tommy Gong, the county’s top election official. Gong will discuss the practicalities of running modern elections and the safeguards that protect the right to vote.
With nearly 25 years of experience in election administration, Gong brings a background that includes service in Contra Costa, San Luis Obispo and Stanislaus counties in California. The meeting will be livestreamed and later posted to the Club’s YouTube channel. Recordings are also rebroadcast on KLCC 89.7 FM the following Monday and made available as a podcast.
Why these events matter for local families
For families who value informed civic participation, the City Club’s lineup offers a convenient way to hear directly from candidates and officials without the cost or travel barriers that often limit engagement. The forum gives voters a chance to compare platforms side‑by‑side, the debate watch party provides context for the statewide race, and the election‑security briefing reassures residents that the voting process is robust and transparent.
All three events are open to the public and free of charge, reflecting the Club’s commitment to fostering an educated electorate rooted in the community’s traditional values and constitutional freedoms.
How to attend
- State Senate forum: Thursday, Oct. 1, 12 p.m., Roaring Rapids Pizza Co., Glenwood.
- Governor’s debate watch party: Thursday, Oct. 1, 5 p.m., Ford Alumni Center, UO campus.
- Election‑security talk: Friday, Oct. 2, 12 p.m., WOW Hall, Eugene.
For additional details or to register for the watch party, visit the City Club of Eugene’s website or contact the Club directly.
Original reporting: Homepage – Lookout Eugene-Springfield — read the source article.
