Voters in Door and Kewaunee counties will have opportunities to hear from candidates themselves over the next week as the start of in-person absentee voting approaches Tuesday, October 20.

According to the Wisconsin Elections Commission, more than 127,000 absentee ballots have already been returned by mail out of nearly 348,000 issued statewide. That includes 353 ballots in Kewaunee County and 689 in Door County received by their respective municipal clerks as of Tuesday, Oct 13.

For those waiting to hear from the candidates before casting their ballots, several opportunities are coming up.

In Wisconsin's gubernatorial race, U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany and Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley are scheduled to debate Oct. 21 in Milwaukee. The debate will air on WISN-TV, more than a week after Wisconsin attorney general candidates Josh Kaul and Eric Toney debated Sunday.

Closer to home, U.S. Rep. Tony Wied will debate Rick Crosson on Oct. 22. The debate will be carried live on WFRV-TV's streaming platform and air on tape delay at 7 p.m. that evening and at 6:30 a.m. Oct. 25.

The League of Women Voters of Door County will host a candidate forum for the Wisconsin Assembly and state Senate races Oct. 14, beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the Southern Door School Auditorium. The Assembly race features state Rep. Joel Kitchens and Democratic challenger Renee Paplham, while the state Senate race features Nic Cravillion and Mark Becker.

The forum will be recorded by the League of Women Voters of Door County. The organization hosted a candidate forum for Door County sheriff ahead of the August primary, which is still available to watch online.

In-person absentee voting begins Oct. 20 and runs through Nov. 1 in some parts of the state, although most municipalities will conclude voting by Oct. 30. Completed absentee ballots must be received by municipal clerks no later than 8 p.m. on Election Day, Nov. 3.