Voice of OC plans election Q&As and forums across county

Voice of OC plans to publish Orange County supervisor candidate Q&As over the next two weeks as ballots go out this week for the upcoming midterm election, according to the nonprofit newsroom.

The project focuses on local government issues including county budget transparency, the search for a new county CEO, discretionary spending accounts and whether supervisors’ calendars should be public, Voice of OC reported.

Voice of OC Publisher and Editor in Chief Norberto Santana Jr. said the newsroom sent questions to all Orange County supervisor campaigns earlier in the month and will publish the responses in Q&A stories over the next two weeks.

According to Voice of OC, the questionnaires ask candidates about county budget transparency, the search for a new county CEO, discretionary spending accounts and public access to county supervisors’ calendars. The stories will be stored on the outlet’s Elections Page with other campaign coverage.

The article referenced Fifth District Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley, Republican challenger Diane Dixon and former County Supervisor Gaddi Vazquez as part of the outlet’s discussion of supervisor races.

Santana said he will moderate an Irvine election debate on Oct. 17 at the Southcoast Chinese Cultural Center, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary. He also said he will help organize a Costa Mesa candidates forum on Oct. 15 at the Norma Hertzog Community Center and help moderate a Santa Ana candidate forum on Oct. 19 at the Delhi Center.

Other election events listed by Voice of OC include an OC Forum and OC Public Affairs Association forum on Friday at the Pacific Club in Newport Beach, as well as League of Women Voters North Orange County forums in Fullerton, Placentia, Buena Park, Brea and La Habra.

Voice of OC said the effort is aimed at helping voters find information on local candidates and ballot initiatives as the election approaches.