With mail-in, no-fault absentee balloting for this November’s general election scheduled to begin October 2, The Newtown Bee is continuing to use Zoom, Facebook Live, and YouTube to introduce local delegation statehouse candidates in the weeks before balloting begins.

These noon hour “Friday Forums” are planned to replace the live candidates’ forum The Newtown Bee typically hosts shortly before election day at Edmond Town Hall. The second segment, set for Friday, September 18, at noon — will feature 28th State Senate District Republican incumbent Tony Hwang and his returning Democratic challenger Michelle McCabe.

Editor Nancy Crevier, who is hosting the live weekly webcasts, said these programs aim to engage voters with candidates vying for statehouse seats in a safe and appropriately distanced manner.

“The great thing, too,” she added, “is that these noontime forums will be available on our YouTube channel after each presentation, for those who are unable to watch as they unfold.

“We believe the live forums presented by The Newtown Bee in previous years, as well as last election season’s well-attended casual meetup at Reverie Brewing Company, have been an important service to the community and expect that this year’s unusual offering will continue to provide that real-time look at the candidates’ positions on a variety of issues.”

To ensure that all community members have a potential voice in these forums, The Bee is soliciting questions from residents for consideration. Questions must be sent by e-mail, and will be accepted up until 12 pm on the day before each forum.

Submitted questions should be relative to the candidates being featured. Send questions to editor@thebee.com, with “Friday Forum” in the subject line.

Friday Forums are scheduled to follow at noon on September 25 with Newtown’s 106th District Republican Rep Mitch Bolinsky and returning Democratic challenger Rebekah Harriman-Stites.

Then, as absentee ballots become available Friday, October 2, The Newtown Bee will host a shorter and modified forum inviting 112th District GOP Rep JP Sredzinski to discuss his positions on key issues facing the general assembly. To date, Sredzinski is running unopposed.

That October 2 forum, or a subsequent webcast, will host officials discussing the latest information local registered voters will need to know about this year’s balloting process, along with details for those planning to cast ballots in person on election day, November 3.

As is the case with the The Newtown Bee’s annual live forum, the Friday Forums will be produced by Associate Editor John Voket.

“These virtual forums will still have the spontaneity of live interactions with the added benefit of being available for viewing on The Newtown Bee’s Facebook and YouTube sites before the date Newtown voters will begin casting ballots,” Voket said. “We think this format provides a new and innovative way to help residents decide who will best represent them in Hartford for the next two years.”