The forum, which is slated for 6:15 p.m. in the Dora Roberts Community Center, will give candidates a chance to discuss their political platforms and meet with prospective voters, according to Debbye ValVerde, executive director for the local Chamber of Commerce.

“This year we are inviting Big Spring and Coahoma candidates running for city council, school board and mayoral races,” said ValVerde. “The format for the event will be informal. Candidates will be given five minutes to introduce themselves and make a few comments about their campaign platform and their plans for their term in office. The remaining part of the evening will be spent visiting and talking personally to the attendees. Candidates will be allowed to bring campaign material and handouts.”

Local voters will have plenty to choose from during the May 9 election, with several municipal and school board seats up for grabs.

The District 2 seat on the Big Spring City Council will feature incumbent Councilman Manuel Ramirez Jr., who will be taking on challengers Terena Rustman and Raul Marquez. Ramirez won't be the only incumbent defending a seat on the Big Spring Council, as District 4 Councilwoman Gloria McDonad will take on challengers Joyce Crooker and John Huck Huckabee.

The final race on the Big Spring Council will be for the District 6 seat, which is currently held by Greg Biddison, who has decided no to run for re-election. However, the contest has drawn plenty of candidates, as local residents Terry Hansen, Steven Campbell and Bahola DeLeon have filed their candidacy.

The city of Coahoma has three seats — all three are at-large — up for election in May.

Seats held by incumbents David Elmore, Ricky Stone and Mayor Bill Read, are up for grabs. According to city officials, Coahoma residents Jay Holt and Ray Lee have filed to run for a pair of the council seats, while Warren Wallace and Linda Luce have filed to run for mayor. All three incumbents did not run for re-election.

For more information on the forum, contact ValVerde at (432) 263-7641.