The November election is less than a month away. With federal, state and local elections coming up, those who want a little more information about the names — and people — on the local ballot will get the opportunity to learn more Monday.

Monday at 6:30 p.m., the Washington-Beaufort County Chamber of Commerce, its Young Professionals group and the Washington Daily News will host a forum for candidates. Candidates will be local only: those running for Beaufort County commissioners, Beaufort County sheriff and Beaufort County Clerk of Superior Court. The forum will be held in the auditorium of Building 8 at Beaufort County Community College.

“We just wanted to give the community a chance to hear from the candidates and hear their viewpoints on upcoming issues that they’ll have to make decisions on,” said Chamber Executive Director Catherine Glover. “The more informed the community and the voters are, the more they know where that candidate stands.”

Candidates for each race will take the stage together. Each will be allowed a two-minute introduction, then all those running for the same office will be asked questions by moderator Austin Smithwick. Before they leave stage, each candidate will be given another two minutes to speak to the audience.

Candidates for the three available seats on the Beaufort County Board of Commissioners are Democrats Ed Booth and Robert Cayton, and Republicans Ron Buzzeo, Keith Kidwell and Frankie Waters. Democrat Al Whitney and Republican Ernie Coleman race to fill the seat Sheriff Alan Jordan is vacating and Democrat Marty Paramore, Republican Jimbo Shiver and Independent Eva Buck are campaigning for Beaufort County Clerk of Superior Court.

Glover said all candidates had gladly accepted the invitation to the forum.

“They are thankful for a platform to be able to speak and discuss the issues to get their qualification and experience out there and what they’re going to bring to the leadership of the county,” Glover said.

Audience members will be able to submit their own questions to the moderator during registration from 6 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. The forum is free and open to the public.

“We encourage everyone to come, obviously, because it’s going to give them opportunity to hear from our future leaders,” Glover said.

Beaufort County Community College is located at 5337 U.S. Highway 264 East, Washington.