From Voter Service Workbook, LWVCT
Education Fund, Inc.
TIPS FOR SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATES
DEBATES OR EVENTS
-
Begin planning early—in the
spring prior to election season. Form a committee.
-
Review League of Women Voters of
Connecticut Education Fund policies governing debates and forums (see
Appendix A.) and Face to Face: A Guide to Candidates Debates* determine
which could give guidance for the upcoming election season and your voters
service events. In particular, note whether your local League has a “Criteria
for Candidate Participation” statement—review, revise and reaffirm it,
as well as your non-partisan policy, as early as possible at a Board meeting
and before you contact the candidates. *Online at www.lwv.org
-
Consider co-sponsoring your
event to draw the largest audience; people attend events for a variety of
reasons including their allegiance to the organization, interest in the
topic, etc. If the local League is cosponsoring an event with one or more
other organizations, these organizations should be urged to adopt candidate
participation criteria and a nonpartisan policy, as well.
-
Line up TV coverage to reach a
larger audience. Start contact immediately in the spring as the lead time
for commitment is often significant and the availability of the station’s
technical personnel may effect the date and location of your debate/event.
Agree on videotaping policy with broadcaster (see Appendix G. & H.).
-
Choose proposed date, location
and format as early as possible. Determine format based on number of
candidates involved, location, television coverage, etc. Think of
interesting and different formats which engage the audience. Communicate
these basic details by letter to political party chairs with a reminder that
a formal invitation to the candidates will follow later in the fall.
-
Recruit an experienced moderator
from a League outside your community; particularly during local municipal
elections an individual from the community acting as moderator more easily
can be perceived as partisan (affiliated with a political party or the party’s
issues.) The LWVCT Voter Service Vice President can make referrals of
seasoned League moderators/ Call the Office.
-
Visit chosen location for event
early on to determine best seating arrangements for candidates, moderator,
panelists and timers to be in full view of each other and the audience.
Enlist TV station representative to visit and outline needs of broadcaster.
Make arrangements with facility for appropriate equipment (sound, lighting,
etc.).
-
Touch base with moderator;
discuss upcoming correspondence with candidates; discuss further format
(including how questions will be solicited) and ground rules (see Appendix
F.), moderator’s needs and concerns, etc.
-
Send formal written invitations
to all qualified candidates. Invitation should outline date, time, place,
format and ground rules. (See Appendix F.). With the moderator’s
permission, you can include his/her name. Specify reply date deadline.
Include return form(s) on which the candidate should sign, stating that
he/she agrees to the format and video policy, if event is being taped (see
Appendix H).
-
Publicize your event as soon as
you have the key details in place. Tailor your pieces to your audiences!
-
Recruit volunteers to act as
timers, ushers, questions screeners, etc. Locate necessary equipment and
materials including League banner, time watches, timing signs (1 min., 30
sec., stop), nametags, pencils, water, etc. Determine plans for a written
program and any other League materials to be available at event (see
Appendix I.).
Appendix D
SAMPLE FORMATS FOR CANDIDATES
EVENTS
| 1) |
Debate: |
a proposition is stated, candidates speak pro
and con on the issue, rebut each other and give closing or summary
statements. |
| 2) |
Forum: |
candidates answer oral or written questions
from the audience or panelists usually following a prepared opening
statement. They may or may not be allowed rebuttal. |
| 3) |
Round-robin: |
audience is divided into small groups;
candidates move from group to group. Discussion leaders are provided in
each group to keep things moving. |
| 4) |
Fair: |
candidates are stationed at tables or booths
around the room. The audience is free to talk with as many of the
candidates as possible. |
There are as many variations on these formats as
there are Leagues. Choose one that works for the type of election, your
community and the number of candidates and districts that you wish to present.
Determine time limits on the basis of the number of candidates. Consider using
the cumulative time approach in a debate format (see Appendix E.).
Tips for Moderators
 |
Conduct the meeting in a firm, but
friendly, courteous and relaxed manner; and be assertive enough to break
in and keep the candidates on track without appearing hostile, unfair or
bullying. |
|
Once a speaker has begun, do not interrupt,
unless the remarks constitute a personal attack on an opponent. |
|
Be alert to timekeeper’s signals.
Allowing one speaker more time than another is a valid basis for criticism
of the League’s fairness policy. |
|
Audiences are quick to spot signs of
partisanship. Avoid expressing signs of annoyance, agreement, or
disagreement with statements made by participants or members of the
audience. |
|
Enthusiasm and assurance are infectious.
Speak clearly and distinctly, in short, simple sentences, in a
conversational tone, at a moderate pace; and avoid nervous mannerisms and
distracting movements. |
|
Tools of the trade to bring to the meeting:
 |
watch or clock; tissues, cough drops
or mints; |
|
paper, pencil, colored markers and
gavel |
|
|
Clothes for television—blue shirts are
best for men; solid colors, other than white, are less distracting to
audience and cameras. |
What if?
....a speaker keeps talking when time is
Interrupt gently but firmly. “Excuse me, Mr. X,
but you have used up your time.” Be cautious about letting a speaker finish a
sentence. Sometimes they never end, and there are other candidates to consider.
....a speaker becomes obstreperous?
Address the speaker directly, “Dr. No, you are
out of order” or “Ms.Y, I must remind you once again that you are not being
fair to the other speakers.” Your admonition may not work, but the speaker’s
true character is being revealed to the audience.
...there are questionable questions?
If a statement is being made, interrupt and
state, “Please phrase your statement as a question for the speaker.” Some
moderators time the questions as well as the responses. If the question is
really a personal attack, rule it out of order, explaining that we are here for
an open, orderly exchange on the issues, not character assassination, and ask
for another question.
..all the questions are on the same subject?
Turn to the other side of the room and say
smilingly, “There have been several questions on that subject already. Does
anyone wish to question the speakers about other issues?” This must be well
timed so the audience will not feel that the League is cutting off discussion of
an issue that is of great interest to many there.
...the audience becomes unruly?
Remind the audience that this is not a rally for
voters who have already made up their minds, but a nonpartisan meeting for those
who have not. “We understand many of you have strong feelings on some of these
issues, but others have come here to help them decide how to vote by listening
to the candidates/speakers themselves. Please, let’s not waste time that
should be spent discussing issues.”
Remember that you have the authority to call a
recess to review the ground rules with the sponsors and participants, and if
necessary to adjourn the meeting.
...a member of the audience is rowdy?
You can address the member directly, “Sir,
please sit down and wait your turn.” The audience will usually not resent a
sincere and tactful attempt on the part of the moderator to keep the meeting in
order. If this does not work, call a brief recess and speak to the person
yourself.
...there is a challenge to your authority and the
way you are conducting the meeting?
Calmly restate the ground rules and proceed (you
may even read from the letter of confirmation). If the challenge continues, you
may call a recess and caucus with the speakers and/or sponsors. With careful
preparations, this shouldn’t happen.
...the audience is very small?
Consider rearranging chairs in a more informal
setting and perhaps adopting a more conversational format. Give the speakers
more time to answer questions.
...you run out of questions?
Adjourn. Sometimes the audience is small or the
race lacks hot issues. Just move ahead to the closing statements and send the
audience home.
...people demand to take the written questions
with them afterwards?
Refuse them, although people may look at them
after the forum to satisfy themselves that the League has not been censoring
legitimate questions.
Source: LWVM Moderator Training
Handbook M8-9
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