With less than a month to go until the primary election, DeKalb County voters are running out of time to pick their candidate for the most high-profile local office.

At year's end, Chief Executive Officer Vernon Jones will step down because of term limits. Barring unprecedented returns for a write-in candidate in November, the election will be decided by the July 15 primary or by a runoff three weeks later.

That's because all five candidates —- Joe Bembry, Burrell Ellis, Ann Kimbrough, Steen Miles and Stan Watson —- are Democrats.

Meet the candidates and hear what they have to say at one of the upcoming forums and speaking events scheduled around DeKalb County.

> DESCRIPTION: Forum, preceded by a half hour of mingling with the CEO candidates.

> TIME/DATE: 8:30-9:30 p.m. Wednesday

> LOCATION: First African Presbyterian Church, 5197 Salem Road, Lithonia

> SPONSOR: The church's community action team. For more information, call 770-981-2601.

> DESCRIPTION: Forum, preceded by a half hour of mingling with the CEO candidates.

> TIME/DATE: 6:30-8:30 p.m. June 26

> LOCATION: Historic Decatur Courthouse, 101 E. Court Square

> SPONSOR: Champion newspaper and DeKalb History Center. For more information, call 404-373-7779.

> DESCRIPTION: The Democratic Party is hosting a barbecue with speeches for the county office candidates, plus those running for all other offices, including the General Assembly and U.S. Senate.

> TIME/DATE: 1-4 p.m. June 28

> LOCATION: Dresden Park, on Dresden Drive off Buford Highway

> SPONSOR: DeKalb Democratic Party. For more information, call 678-886-7990.

> DESCRIPTION: Forum for CEO candidates.

> TIME/DATE: 7-9 p.m. July 8, doors open at 6.

> LOCATION: Ray of Hope Christian Church, 2778 Snapfinger Road, Decatur

> SPONSOR: Stone Mountain-Lithonia chapters of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity. For more information, call 877-858-1033. Questions for candidates by e-mail to ceodebate@comcast.net.

> DESCRIPTION: Forum for CEO candidates and those running for County Commission Super District 6 and District 4.

> TIME/DATE: 7 p.m. July 10

> LOCATION: St. Timothy United Methodist Church, 5365 Memorial Drive, Stone Mountain

> SPONSOR: PRISM —- Pride Rings In Stone Mountain. For more information, call 404-296-1442.