The Legal of Women voters is a 105-year-old nonpartisan organization that neither supports nor opposes the candidates for any office and is not affiliated with any political party. The league’s purpose is to promote political responsibility through informed and active participation of citizens in governance, providing this forum for citizens to become better informed about the issues facing the community, and to become better acquainted with the candidates running for office.
Holding candidate forums has been a core activity of the League of Women voters, and we have developed a set of protocols that we follow.
Candidates were provided an advanced written copy of the guidelines and the format that will be used, and they have signed an agreement that they’ll follow the guidelines as a condition of their participation.
- Each candidate has randomly drawn a number and has been seated from left to right in the order of the number.
- Candidates will be asked to put away electronic devices.
- Each candidate will be allowed two minutes for an opening statement.
- All questions will be asked of all candidates, so audience members should not submit a question addressed to one particular candidate.
- Candidates will be allowed a 90-second response to the question.
- Following the questions, each candidate will be allowed a one-minute closing statement.
- Audio and video of this event must be broadcast in its entirety, except for the media reporting on this event.
- The candidates have agreed that they, their organizations and supporters will not use the forum, any portions of the forum or any audio or video clip, cell phone photos, or transcripts from the forum, for political advertising or other purposes.
- Questions from the audience must be written on the cards provided. Questions will be screened
- We’re here to learn about the issues, so no personal attacks
- Please refrain from making expressions of agreement or disagreement.
- Hold applause until the end of the forum.
Note: The opening statement, response, and closing statement times are generally two minutes, 90 seconds and one minute, respectively; however, these times are subject to the moderator’s discretion and may be increased or reduced depending on the number of candidates.
