The Interact Club of Manteca will host the 2026 Manteca Civic Forum on Sunday, Sept. 27, at 6 p.m. at the VFW Veterans Center, at 580 Moffat Blvd.

The forum is designed to provide residents with an opportunity to hear directly from candidates running for Manteca Mayor and the Manteca City Council in advance of the Nov. 3 election.

Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. with the program beginning at 6 p.m. Admission is free and open to the public.

All seven candidates running for Mayor, City Council District 3, and City Council District 4 have confirmed their participation in the forum, giving voters the opportunity to hear from every candidate appearing in those races.

Organized and hosted by the youth members of the Interact Club of Manteca, the event is believed to be the first youth-led candidate forum held in Manteca in at least a decade.

Organizers hope the forum will become a lasting civic tradition that gives young people a greater role in the local democratic process. The forum is designed to encourage informed voting, increase civic participation, and give residents, particularly young people and first-time voters, an opportunity to hear candidates discuss the issues facing the community.

"The purpose of this forum is simple," said Interact Club President Benevolence Wa. "We want to create a space where voters can learn about the candidates, hear their ideas, and make informed decisions at the ballot box.”

“Local government impacts our daily lives more than almost any other level of government, and we believe civic education should begin long before Election Day."

The event will be moderated by an independent community member and will feature opening statements, moderator-led questions, and audience-submitted questions selected in advance.

Each candidate will receive equal speaking time, and the event will follow established rules to ensure a fair, respectful, and informative discussion.

The Interact Club of Manteca emphasizes that the organization does not endorse or oppose any political party, candidate, or campaign.

The forum is intended solely as a nonpartisan civic education event dedicated to encouraging informed participation in local government.

In addition to the candidate forum, representatives from the San Joaquin County Registrar of Voters will be available with voter registration materials and election information to help eligible residents register to vote and prepare for the upcoming election.

Founded in 2025, the Interact Club of Manteca is a Rotary-sponsored, youth-led service organization with chapters at every high school, open to all high school students in Manteca, and committed to developing young leaders through community service, civic engagement, and international understanding.

Since its founding, the club has organized hundreds of volunteer hours and community projects throughout Manteca. Community members of all ages are encouraged to attend.

You can RSVP at https://tinyurl.com/2026MantecaCivicForum today.