Ironton voters have an opportunity Tuesday to arm themselves with knowledge that could pay dividends for years to come.

The Ironton Co-Operative Club, a civic group of local women, will sponsor a &#8220Meet the Candidates” forum at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Ohio University Southern's Bowman Auditorium. The public event will give voters the opportunity to learn more about the candidates running for Ironton City Council and the Ironton Municipal Judge post.

With a massive Nov. 8 ballot, we urge all city residents and those eligible to vote on the judge's race to take advantage of this chance to learn a little more about whom they will vote. Not having enough information could lead to voters making big mistakes at the polls.

Four seats are open on Ironton's City Council, meaning that a majority of council is up for grabs. This election could determine the dynamics and the vision of the body for the next four years.

Challengers include Rich Blankenship, former mayor Bob Cleary, Devon Harmon, Ralph Huff, Leo Johnson, Rick Meeks and Raymond Murphy. Incumbents seeking office are Robert Isaac, William Nenni and Brent Pyles. Current chairman Jim Tordiff opted not to run.

If it weren't for the school bond levy, the Ironton Municipal Court race would hands down be the fiercest race on the ticket. Featuring incumbent O. Clark Collins Jr. and longtime attorney and assistant prosecutor Kevin Waldo, the race has split the community and much of the local Republican Party.

All the candidates will get a chance to introduce themselves and tell voters for what each candidate stands. Voters will also have the opportunity to ask questions and hear how each person responds, something that won't be possible on Election Day.

Choosing the city's leaders should not be a popularity contest. It should not be about name recognition, who has the most signs or who has the most clever political ads. The Election Day choices should center on finding the best people who have the vision and leadership skills to help lead Ironton to a bright, new future.

Voters who attempt to do this without being properly armed with knowledge may as well be playing with dynamite. The problem with that is it may blow up in their faces.