Three forums next week will give voters the opportunity to hear from candidates running in contested races for spots on the Richardson ISD board of trustees.

The Nov. 5 election marks the first time in RISD's history that trustees will be elected by voters in specific geographic areas rather than by the district as a whole. The district moved to a majority single-member district electoral system following the settlement of a lawsuit earlier this year. 

Candidates for Single-Member District 2 include incumbent trustee Eron Linn and newcomer Vanessa Pacheco. Four newcomers—Taler Jefferson, Patricia Price Hicks, Regina Harris and Sakennia Reed—will face off in the District 4 race. Incumbent trustee Karen Clardy is running unopposed for District 5. Only voters living within those districts will be eligible to vote for those candidates.

The first candidate forum will be held Oct. 14 from 7-9 p.m. at Hamilton Park United Methodist Church in Dallas. Opening comments will be delivered by former trustee David Tyson Jr., whose lawsuit is what led RISD to change its electoral process earlier this year. 

The second and third forums will be hosted by the League of Women Voters - Richardson. Here are the details for those events.
District 4 candidate forum
Wednesday, Oct. 16, 7 p.m.
Hamilton Park Pacesetter Magnet Auditorium
8301 Towns St., Dallas

District 2 candidate forum
Thursday, Oct. 17, 7 p.m.
Berkner High School Lecture Hall
1600 E. Spring Valley Road, Richardson

The public is encouraged to attend these events, according to the host groups. For more information on the candidates, click here.