District 8 aldermanic candidates Lauren Woods and Eli Judge will participate in an open forum today at the Red Gym at 7 p.m., and students will have an opportunity to meet the two candidates and ask them questions.

The event is hosted by the Wisconsin Black Student Union, Campus Women's Center and the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Campus Center.

"I think that, for a lot of students who are not specifically aware of the specifics on these issues, they are really looking to this debate," said Woods, who is also a senior at the University of Wisconsin.

During the forum, both candidates will speak on why they are running for alder and what they plan to accomplish if elected. Students will then be able to ask questions and voice any concerns they have about District 8, which covers most of the campus area, including the southeast dorms.

Judge, who is a sophomore at UW, said he is looking forward to the debate and hopes it addresses issues that are important to students, such as campus safety. He also said the debate should illustrate the difference between he and his opponent.

"I think that we have some general ideas that are somewhat similar, but I think the specifics of our plans are fundamentally different," Judge said. "I think my plans are more practical and immediate."

Judge has criticized Woods' call for additional pedestrian-scale lighting, saying it would cost the city too much money and would take too long to install. He cited when the city looked into installing lights along two blocks of Mifflin Street, which he said would cost about $500,000.

"We found out that one of the ways that you get to change the lighting on the street is by tearing up the streets," Judge said. "I'm not saying I'm against the lighting — I think it's a wonderful long-term solution."

Both candidates have released written plans to improve safety in the downtown area. Judge's proposal calls for the creation of a campus-wide neighborhood watch program, similar to the current Langdon Street Watch, in which neighborhood volunteers patrol the area with cell phones and are in contact with a nearby police officer.

Woods has also criticized Judge's proposal, saying it is not realistic to rely on student volunteers to improve safety downtown.

"I think that our approach to campus safety is important," Woods said. "I feel like he's picked apart my argument — he's almost like a rebuttal campaign, but he's not giving anything else to offer."

Both candidates have touted their political experience through the campaign. Woods has been president of WBSU, a legislative aide to sate Sen. Lena Taylor, D-Milwaukee, and is a current member of Madison's Equal Opportunities Commission and the Regent Street steering committee.

Judge was co-founder and chair of Students for a Fair Wisconsin, the student group that opposed November's proposed marriage amendment. Judge has also worked with the UW-Madison College Democrats.

The debate will take place on the second floor of the Red Gym at 7 p.m., and anyone interested is encouraged to attend.