With election season in full swing in Carter County, one local organization is looking to do its part to help voters and candidates get informed.

The Elizabethton Veterans of Foreign Wars Post, located on West Elk Avenue, is putting the final touches on a county candidate/vote meet-and-greet event for Tuesday, April 10, from 6 to 8 p.m. inside the facility’s Great Hall.

According to information provided by the Post, the goal is to encourage candidates and voters to come together to meet one another and learn their goals and aspirations for the political season.

“As a community service, the Elizabethton VFW is opening its Great Hall to the public and all candidates from all parties in the upcoming Carter County elections,” Post Commander Paul Johnson said in a letter addressed to the 80 candidates invited to attend.

The goal is to give each party equal representation according to VFW Post Surgeon Chris Prince, and allow residents to learn more about the different offices up for election.

“We’re for the electoral process,” he said. “Generally, there are events held for just one specific party. We wanted to have this event as an opportunity for all candidates, and voters, to attend to learn more for the upcoming election. It is an opportunity for candidates and voters to exchange ideas and concerns that are more important to the community.”

VFW officials will provide tables and chairs for candidates. Each table will be set up by elected office and district. According to Johnson, there will also be an open area in the hall where one-on-one conversations can take place between candidates and voters.

“We’re not endorsing one candidate or any thing along those lines,” Prince said. “We have the space available and we want to do this as a way to give the community a chance to meet the individuals that are running for office.”

Prince told the Elizabethton Star that, as of Thursday, roughly 17 candidates have reserved a spot for the event. Candidates looking to attend can do so up until the day of the event. To learn more about the meet and greet, contact Prince at (423) 474-0167 or search “Candidate/Voter Meet and Greet” on Facebook.