Debate is the exchange of views on issues and topics of interest to voters. When done effectively, political debate can help inform voters and increase voter engagement. However, heightened political polarization has led many Americans to believe that such discussion is pointless and counterproductive. And recent research has found that political debates do not significantly influence voter choice, even when focusing on the types of debates that could be expected to have an impact (i.e., those involving close races or with fluctuating ballot choices).
The Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD) organizes the major party candidates’ debates in general elections. The CPD is independent of any government or political parties and does not receive money from either the federal or state governments. Its members are distinguished Americans from all walks of life who serve without pay and are selected on the basis of objective criteria.
To participate in a debate, a candidate must have a statistically feasible chance of winning 270 electoral votes. Moreover, the CPD carefully considers early voting dates, religious and federal holidays, White House television pool contractual conflicts and other events when selecting the dates for debates.
The format for the debates is established in a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that the candidates negotiate. The MOU settles a number of important debate terms, including the location, the format and the questions to be posed.
There are three debate formats: the moderator format, the panelist format and the town hall meeting format. In the moderator format, a single person, typically a TV journalist, poses the questions and directs the rebuttals, and manages response times. In the panelist format, several people ask questions and are generally seated at the same table. In the town hall meeting format, the candidates are seated in a room and members of the public ask questions.
About the Author
