Part IV: Candidate Forums

What Makes a Great Question?

Voters are best served when the candidates are asked questions that elicit thoughtful responses and enable the audience to compare and contrast their views.

Questions should strive to accomplish these purposes:

• Define a candidate’s position on issues relevant to the office being sought

• Learn about the process a candidate uses to formulate a position or make a decision

• Determine a candidate’s knowledge, background and skills relative to the office sought

• Attempt to gain information and not simply make a statement

Questions must NOT be:

• about personal matters not related to the elective position

• unclear or vague, hostile, antagonistic, belligerent

• friendly, supportive or gratuitous

• directed to only one candidate