Tonight's Candidates' Forum at the Lake Worth Playhouse

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Tonight's the Night
Let the games begin!

Debate Rules
1. Prior to taking the stage candidates will draw straws to determine speaking order and stage position.
2. All candidates will appear on stage simultaneously at individual podiums.
3. Each candidate will be given a 15 minute talk-time bank. The amount of time spent talking each time a
candidate has the floor will be deduced from the speaker’s talk-time bank.
4. Each candidate will be assigned a time-keeper who will monitor the time their assigned candidate has spoken
during the debate and will consistently provide updates to the candidate on the amount of time remaining in
the candidate’s talk-time bank.
5. The time spent presenting opening and closing statements will not be deducted from the candidate’s talk-time
bank and are limited to two minutes each.
6. There will be no time limitation to answers, rebuttals or responses.
7. Once a candidate has depleted her talk-time bank, she may no longer speak.
8. Apart from who answers questions initially, the moderator will decide the order in which candidates are
chosen to rebut or respond.
9. The moderator will be in charge of moving the debate forward and making sure as many questions as possible
are discussed during the debate.

Example of Debate Format
1. Moderator asks Candidate “A” a question.
2. Candidate “A” answers.
3. Each remaining candidate may opt to rebut an argument by raising a hand and waiting to be recognized by
the moderator.
4. Moderator recognizes Candidate “B” to rebut after he raises a hand. Candidate “B’s” response time is only
restricted by the time left in his talk-time bank.
5. If candidate “A” wishes to respond she must raise a hand and be called upon by the moderator to do so.

Debate Program
1. NAPC Chairman – Greeting and moderator introduction
2. Moderator – Present rules and format of debate
3. Candidates - Opening statement
4. Candidates - Debate
5. Candidates - Closing statement
6. Moderator – Event Closing