A slew of local candidates will be at the courthouse on Tuesday, the eve of One-Stop voting, to explain their platforms and ask for votes.

The 2010 Primary Election Candidates Forum will have at least 20 candidates running for 10 seats. The event is sponsored Laurinburg/Scotland County Area Chamber of Commerce. It will be held at the Scotland County Courthouse at 6:30 p.m.

Matt Kendall, chamber program director, said the forum is a great way for those undecided voters who don't know which candidate to support on May 4.

“Many times when going to vote, we just see names on paper, and can’t put a face or voice to our candidates. This way, the public can meet the candidates for key races in one setting, ask questions that are on everyone’s minds, and find out what our candidates can do for Scotland County.”

In the sheriff's race, incumbent Shep Jones has already told organizers he will attend. Challenger Mike Webb told the chamber he has a prior engagement on Tuesday but will still try to come.

Clerk of Superior Court Phillip McRae and his challenger, Pat Fields, have both promised to attend.

Five of the six Democratic candidates for county commissioner – Betty Gholston, Carol McCall, J.D. Willis, Guy McCook and Daniel Dockery – have said they will attend while the remaining candidate, John Cooley, has yet to confirm his attendance.

Bill Owens is the only Republican seeking the county office and is running unopposed in the primary.

School Board candidates James Underwood, Jennifer O'Donnell, Calvin Newton, Charlie Fipps, Jimmy Bennett, Paul Rush, Rodney Hassler, Darrel Gibson and Mary Evans have all confirmed their attendance while Teresa Locklear and Vicki Jackson have not.

For the US House District 8, three candidates have confirmed their attendance: Democrat Nancy Shakir, and Republicans Lou Huddleston and Lee Cornelison. Republican Darrel Day is the only candidate for the seat to say he cannot make the event, while the other contenders, including incumbent Larry Kissell, have not yet replied.

Candidates are not required to RSVP if they are invited.

"They may still show up," Kendall said. "They are welcome to come. They don't have to confirm."

He said there will likely be no shortage of attendees.

“We’re expecting a large turnout for this forum since we have so many offices up for election,” Kendall said. “The courtroom will probably fill up to standing room only, so make sure to arrive early.”

Broken down by office for which they’re running, candidates will each have three minutes to make an opening statement. Afterward, audience members may address questions to specific candidates or to the entire panel. Before asking their questions, audience members must state their name and where they live; only residents of Scotland County are allowed to address the candidates. A candidate will have two minutes to answer. Questions that have been answered or are deemed irrelevant to the office will be dismissed by the moderator.

The forum is also sponsored in part by the Junior Service League and the Extension & Community Association County Council.