OCALA, FL (352today.com) – You want to cast your ballot to vote in Florida’s upcoming primary election. But you’d like to be better educated about the candidates, the issues and process.

The League of Women Voters of The Villages/Tri-County can help.

The non-partisan organization is hosting candidate “meet and greet” events.

The first one is in Sumter on Saturday, Aug. 3, from 1-3 p.m. at the Rohan Recreation Center in Wildwood. The address is 850 Kristine Way.

The second one is in Ocala on Sunday, Aug. 4, from 2-4 p.m., at the Mary Sue Rich Community Center at Reed Place which is located at 1821 NW 21st Ave.

The group is still in the process of organizing an event for Lake County candidates.

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All events are FREE and open to the public.

All candidates for local offices who will be on the ballot for the primary have been invited to attend.

The Marion County candidate meet and greet will be at the Mary Sue Rich Community Center at Reed Place which is located at 1821 NW 21st Ave. in Ocala. The event is free and open to the public. Courtesy: Ben Baugh/352today
The League of Women Voters of The Villages/Tri-County is hosting a meet and greet event with Marion County candidates at the Mary Sue Rich Community Center at Reed Place on Sunday, Aug. 4, from 2-4 p.m. Courtesy: Ben Baugh/352today

The organization’s outreach efforts also work to get more citizens engaged civically – especially young people.

“It’s at a time when they’re working out their career goals, and how they want to impact the community as well, so it’s important to connect with those school age children and those who are just getting out into the work world,” said Audrietta Izlar, the League’s Marion County community coordinator.

The league’s advocacy programs center around helping people understand the process of voting and the partner with other groups like All About the Ballots, the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and All Voting is Local.

“We like to pool our resources, so we can really be force-multipliers. I think that is one of the effective ways. We have room to go, of course,” said Izlar. “We have other organizations that are maybe out there that are interested in partnering or collaborating, please get in touch with the league.”

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There’s a plethora of resources available at the league’s website including access to an interactive voter guide and an explanation of the three ways to vote.

“It’s personalized, it’s kind of like a one-stop shop. Once you enter your residential address, then you can see the races and the candidates you will decide on in the upcoming election,” said Izlar.

Election Day is on Tuesday, Aug. 20. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 pm.