Political debates play a key role in the democratic process. They offer voters a substantive opportunity to understand candidates, hear them explain their visions and platforms, defend their records, and clarify distinctions between or among candidates. This is not something that can easily be achieved through paid media, where voters receive a carefully curated image of a candidate or through individual voter engagement experiences such as door-to-door canvassing or phone calls.
The debate format has evolved over time, with some candidates and audience members demanding a more robust discussion. Increasingly, voters want a new kind of discussion that moves away from the blame-and-shame culture that has been associated with these events. Many young audiences want a discussion of politics that is calm and curious. They also want a chance to participate, both in watching the debates and in shaping them through their social media interactions.
Other debate participants argue that a fixed format is necessary to ensure that citizens are exposed to all of the issues and that the debates do not devolve into a series of chaotic, unfocused confrontations. In addition, they say that a fixed debate format makes it easier for broadcasters to manage the costs of putting on the event, ensuring that all citizens can see the debates on television and on digital platforms. The Commission has experimented with a variety of formats to encourage interaction and discussion, including expanding the pool of moderators to include experienced broadcast journalists, providing mechanisms for citizen participation, and using Spanish-language sign language during debates.
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