By Mary Coltrane, Voter Services Committee Chair, LWV of Washington
Voter Services includes many services that Leagues across the country provide to their communities. Among these is a service of critical importance: candidate forums and debates. Unlike many organizations, when Leagues organize candidate forums or debates, the audience isn’t only League members. On the contrary, we in the League work hard to make our forums and debates accessible to the community at large. Voter Services is about providing all eligible voters the tools they need to cast an informed ballot.
The LWV of the United States notes that forums and debates are like hiring interviews. No one would hire someone without interviewing them first; as voters, we should get a chance to take the measure of candidates so we can have some assurance they will represent our views if they are elected.
This is all fine and good. But what happens when candidates don’t show up for the interview? It’s a problem. Volunteers work hard to organize these events. When candidates don’t show, and if the event is left with only one candidate, the idea of an empty chair debate comes into play. Or, what if a candidate just won’t appear no matter how many times, and how nicely, League volunteers point out the costs and benefits? This seems to be happening more often than in the past. What should your League do? The day of a debate is not the time to make a decision. Planning and forethought will make a difference.
The state League's Voter Services Committee is presenting two workshops to help with planning and forethought. Candidate and debate managers, all Voter Services volunteers, boards, every League member, and friends of the League are invited to attend one or both workshops.
The first workshop, on Saturday, April 2, will feature Maggie Bush from the LWVUS, Mike Bay of TVW (Washington's public affairs network), and a representative from the Public Disclosure Commission (invited). They will talk about the various issues to consider as Leagues navigate our hyperpartisan environment. The second workshop, on Saturday, April 23, will offer ideas about how to successfully communicate the value of forums and debates with candidates, the media, and your community. Register for both workshops.
Both workshops will allow ample time for your questions. As a matter of fact, the Voter Services Committee would love to have your questions in advance. We’ll share any questions we receive ahead of time with our speakers so they can tailor their remarks to what you want to hear.
Mark your calendar and register! Look for reminder information in the March 18 This Month in the League, or shoot me an email if you have questions.
Join us for the two online workshops designed to help Leagues prepare for this year’s election events.
Saturday, April 2, 10 a.m.-11:30 a.m.: Rules for “Empty Chair” Debates
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Setting policy, process, criteria, and more! Board members and candidate forum managers encouraged to attend.
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Maggie Bush, LWVUS Programs and Outreach Director
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Mike Bay, VP of Programming, TVW (Washington’s public affairs network)
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Public Disclosure Commission representative (invited)
Saturday, April 23, 10 a.m.-11:30 a.m.: Getting the Word Out
