If you’re like 99 percent of the voters in Lee and Whiteside counties, you did not attend either of two local political forums this week.

Sauk Valley Community College was host to a Monday forum for candidates from both counties; Whiteside County candidates were invited to a program Tuesday at Sterling High School.

Politicians were barely more interested than voters. Of the 35 candidates who had registered for the Monday meeting, not all showed up to try to impress a “crowd” estimated at fewer than two dozen. About 30 people turned out for Tuesday’s program.