Kenton County voters will get a chance to sit down with candidates running in November's contested races at a free meet-and-greet on Oct. 1, at the Erlanger Branch Library.

LINK nky, the Northern Kentucky news organization, is hosting the event from 5 to 7 p.m. in the library's Bronte Room at 401 Kenton Lands Road. Candidates or their campaign representatives will each staff a table where residents can stop by, ask questions and hear about priorities directly.

With 400 people running for office across Boone, Kenton and Campbell counties this November and 288 of those candidates facing at least one opponent on the ballot, voters have a crowded field to sort through before Election Day, according to LINK nky.

The format is informal. No debate stage, no moderator. Voters walk the room at their own pace and talk one-on-one with the people asking for their vote.

Attendance is free.

LINK nky asks voters to register in advance through BoldType Tickets so organizers can plan for materials and space, but tickets will not be checked at the door.

Candidates who want to reserve a table can sign up through a Google Form linked on LINK nky's announcement. As of the Aug. 13 announcement, organizers said there was still plenty of time for candidates to register. Candidates whose districts span multiple counties may participate in more than one event in the series.

Free parking is available in the library's public lot.

The Kenton County event is the first in a three-county series. Campbell County's meet-and-greet follows on Wednesday, Oct. 7, at the Newport Branch Library's Presidents Room (901 E. 6th St., Newport), and Boone County's is Thursday, Oct. 8, at the Burlington Branch Library's Meeting Room A (166 E. Jefferson St., Burlington). All three run 5 to 7 p.m.

Upcoming community calendar

  • Oct. 1 — LINK nky Kenton County Candidate Meet-and-Greet, 5–7 p.m., Erlanger Branch Library, Bronte Room, 401 Kenton Lands Road, Erlanger. Free.
  • Oct. 7 — LINK nky Campbell County Candidate Meet-and-Greet, 5–7 p.m., Newport Branch Library, Presidents Room, 901 E. 6th St., Newport. Free.
  • Oct. 8 — LINK nky Boone County Candidate Meet-and-Greet, 5–7 p.m., Burlington Branch Library, Meeting Room A, 166 E. Jefferson St., Burlington. Free.