ELY – All six Ely mayoral candidates are set to participate in a voter’s forum on Thursday, Feb. 18, beginning at 6 p.m. 
Due to coronavirus concerns, the event at Ely City Hall will not be open to the public, but will instead be broadcast live on Ely cable access channel 11 and 98, and streamed live on the AAUW Ely Branch Facebook page.
A recording of the event will also be available for later viewing on YouTube under the title Ely Mayoral Candidate Forum 2021. The event is co-hosted by The Ely Rotary Club and the American Association of University Women-Ely Branch.
Residents wishing to submit questions for consideration should e-mail them by the end of Friday, Feb. 12, to khv771@gmail.com. 
Ely resident Micca Leider, a first-time candidate for public office, will join four current city council members, Angela Campbell, Jerome Debeltz, Paul Kess and Heidi Omerza, and former Ely mayor Roger Skraba on a primary ballot for an election on Tuesday, April 13. The top two vote-getters will face off in a general election on Tuesday, Aug. 10.
The voter’s forum will be held in the council chambers at Ely City Hall.
Topics to be discussed at the forum may include, government funding, diversity, the coronavirus pandemic, Community Center building, economic development, long-term vision for the community, law enforcement oversight, ethics, and protecting the environment.

, such as ensuring actions represent the will of the majority, separating the responsibility of the mayor from personal beliefs, taxes, infrastructure, short-term rentals within city limits, city codes and zoning, job development, protecting the environment, supporting healthy development of children, and services for at-risk populations.
Absentee voting for the primary election in the city of Ely commences on Friday, Feb. 26. Voters will need to complete an absentee ballot application, available in the Ely City Clerk’s office or the foyer in the entrance of City Hall. Voters can also call 218-365-3224, ext. 2, or email (deputyclerk@ely.mn.us) to have an application sent by mail.
The City Clerk’s office will be open Monday - Friday 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., on Saturday, April 10, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., and on Monday, April 12 from 8 a.m. - 5pm for early primary election voting. 
Absentee voting for the Aug. 10 general election will begin on Friday, June 25. For the general election, absentee/early voting opens on Friday, June 25.  The City Clerk’s office will be open Monday - Friday 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., on Saturday, Aug. 7, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., and on Monday, Aug. 9 from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. for early general election voting.