EAST PROVIDENCE — Residents will have three chances to meet, question, listen to and evaluate the local candidates running for state and city offices next month.

The biggest of the three events is a debate Wednesday night at Newman Church, on Newman Avenue. The East Providence Coalition, a nonpartisan neighborhood organization, has coordinated the face-off for the last eight elections.

“Every time there is an election, this is what we do,” said Ken Schneider, the coalition’s co-president. “We have no agenda. We back no one.”

He said the coalition instead wants residents to simply be informed. It solicits questions from the public and gives each candidate a certain amount of time to answer and then rebut what their opponent said.

This year’s debate, which begins at 6:30 p.m., has state Rep. Elizabeth Dennigan and her District 62 opponent, Paul Dinsmore, coming. Others who will debate are District 63 candidates Roberto DaSilva, Maryann Gobern Mathews and Marcel Robert; and Senate District 18 candidates Frank DeVall, Edmund Leather and Lynn Vargas.

In addition to the state candidates, council at-large candidates Joseph Larisa Jr. and Paul Lemont will also debate, as will School Committee at-large candidates Luisa Abatecola and Francine Brelsford.

“It’s very important to see and hear them,” Schneider said. “I’m amazed when people say, ‘I don’t need to hear them.’ ” Without knowing where a candidate stands, “it will come down to how many signs you see on the street and that’s how you vote.”

Residents of East Bay Manor, a retirement community on Wampanoag Trail, also believe voters should have an opportunity to publicly ask questions of political hopefuls before Election Day. The manor will host two candidate nights, open to voters from Ward 4. The first of those events is tonight at 6:30 at the manor. The candidates invited include those running for City Council and School Committee, as well as two state seats, District 65 and District 18.

Voters will have a second chance to learn more about the candidates on Oct. 16 at 6:30 p.m. in the manor, 1440 Wampanoag Trail. For more information, contact resident program manager Sue Spiro at 433-5000.

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