JONATHAN HOUSE/PORTLAND TRIBUNE - Patrick Starnes, Independent Party of Oregon nominee for governor

In the last week before the general election Nov. 6, McMinnville’s Linfield College will host three gubernatorial candidates to talk to students about political and civic engagement.

The speeches by the Republican, Independent and Libertarian candidates are not campaign stops, a Linfield press release emphasized.

The events, scheduled for 6 p.m. on three separate nights, are intended to encourage students to vote and participate in the political process.

Nick Chen, Libertarian Party candidate, is scheduled to speak on Monday, Oct. 29. Republican Rep. Knute Buehler is slated for Tuesday, Oct. 30, while Patrick Starnes, candidate for the Independent Party of Oregon is set to speak Thursday, Nov. 1.

Held at the college’s Richard and Lucille Ice Auditorium, the events are open to the public, though Linfield students get first priority for seating and questions to the candidates.

All of the gubernatorial candidates, including Democratic incumbent Gov. Kate Brown, were invited to participate.

College officials also issued a disclaimer that they neither support nor oppose any candidate for governor or other political offices up for election Nov. 6.