• Invite all candidates who have filed for office and who meet the qualifications suggested by the LWVUS, which include eligibility to be on the ballot, a public announcement of candidacy, clear evidence of a campaign, a level of support as reflected in polling data and/or eligibility for public funding
• Ensure that the forum is non-partisan, in keeping with League policy
• Work cooperatively with the League of Women Voters in planning and managing the forum including acceptance of these ground rules. Any exceptions to these rules must be discussed with the League in advance of the forum and agreed on by the League Voter Services Chair.
• Note that the League cannot hold a forum unless at least two candidates are present
• Note that there will be no substitute or stand-ins for the candidates nor any ‘empty chair’ debates
CANDIDATES WILL:
• Have 2 minutes each for an opening statement
• Have equal time to answer each question (forum moderator sets time of 1 or 2 min.) Time limits on responses will be strictly observed. A timekeeper will hold cards, visible to the speaker, indicating how much time remains. When the "stop card" is shown, the speaker must end his/her speech within 10 seconds
• Speak to all questions, unless they indicate that they would like to pass on that question
• Have 2 minutes each for a closing statement
• Bring no notes or props. Each candidate will be provided with a legal pad and pen for taking notes during the debate
• Refrain from personal attacks against other candidates
AUDIENCE WILL:
• Write general questions which will be asked of all candidates, using the 3X5 cards which will be available during the forum and collected for moderator to read
• Write questions which are of general interest and not about personal matters
• Refrain from applause or demonstrations during the forum
• Not use flash cameras or recording devices during the debate
THE TIMEKEEPER WILL:
• Time all opening and closing statements
• Time candidate responses, allowing 1 minute for each response
• Indicate 30 seconds remaining with a yellow sign
• Indicate time expired with a red sign
• Alert the moderator when a candidate’s time has ended.
QUESTION SCREENING PANEL WILL:
• Review questions submitted in order to:
o Include questions that are general in nature and appropriate for the office for which candidates are seeking
o Exclude questions that are personal, attack other candidates or that are irrelevant for the office
o Group similar questions together by topic and provide the moderator with the one which most generally represents the grouped questions
THE MODERATOR WILL:
• Meet with candidates to determine order of response to questions
• Explain the procedure (ground rules)
• Introduce the candidates in alphabetical order. Candidates will be introduced by title. Thereafter, “Mr.” and “Ms.” will be used.
• Read to the candidates the questions submitted on 3X5 cards
• Retain the option of combining questions which are similar or address the same topic
• Ensure that each candidate has an equal chance to answer questions
• Have the responsibility for enforcing ground rules and time limits. The moderator also will have the responsibility to interrupt the proceedings to enforce the ground rules and format that were agreed to by the candidates.
• Have the authority to interrupt the candidates if they believe the candidates are straying from the subject
LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS WILL:
• Provide a moderator for the forum
• Provide a timer and timer signs for the forum
• Provide 3X5 cards, pens and pencils for questions
• Provide a screening panel to read and submit questions to the moderator
• Meet with forum organizers before the forum to go over ground rules
• Determine with forum organizers how the publicity of the event will be handled
NOTES:
• No visual aids, such as power points, may be used by any candidate.
• Applause or demonstrations take time and will not be permitted.
• Because the League is non-partisan and does not support or oppose individual candidates, all political advertising (including tee shirts worn by supporters, brochures, bumper stickers, signs, buttons) is prohibited in the forum room, but may be worn and/or placed for distribution on a table in a hall or foyer outside the room if the forum venue allows them (e.g., public libraries do not allow any display of partisanship or preference for a candidate)
Adapted from “Ground Rules for Candidates Forum” Bartlesville League of Women Voters. Updated February 2015 and from guidelines prepared by the League of Women Voters of the United States.
