NATCHEZ — Candidates and voters alike converged at Copiah-Lincoln Community College for “Exercise your Right to Vote” Thursday.

The event was organized to give students an opportunity to get an in-depth view of the candidates and their views.

“This is a chance for students to get educated on the issues,” Nancy McLemore said.

McLemore and George Cage of Phi Theta Kappa, an international honor society, organized the event.

McLemore said all candidates in Tuesday’s upcoming elections were invited but only four were able to attend.

Sammy Cauthen and Joe Eidt, both running for seats on the Adams County Board of Supervisors, attended Thursday’s event.

Debra Anderson spoke on behalf of her husband Gary Anderson, who is running for insurance commissioner.

And Anders Ferrington spoke on behalf of gubernatorial candidate John Arthur Eaves.

Eidt said students in the audience reminded him of himself many years ago.

“It’s good to see a young crowd,” he said.

About 40 Co-Lin students attended Thursday’s event.

Co-Lin student Zellen Smith said she like the idea of an intimate forum for students to address their future public leaders.

“I definitely plan to vote,” she said.

Chancey Watts, a Co-Lin student, said he looks for confidence in a candidate.

Watts said that if a candidate can display a high level of confidence he or she is more likely to motivate others.

Watts said he wants a candidate for the people.

“I want to see what benefits Natchez,” he said.

Watts also said he plans to vote in the upcoming elections.

The event was so popular that some too young to vote even showed up.

Abby Brown, a 17-year-old Co-Lin student, said while she is too young to vote, issues that are voted on still impact her life.

“I want to be educated on what’s going on,” she said. “And I’m really into politics.”

And while the candidate’s forum did attract some students too young to vote, Cage was also hoping to register new voters.

Cage said he repeatedly called the Adams County circuit clerk’s office to arrange to have a new voter registration booth set up.

“They would not return my calls,” he said.