Part IV: Candidate Forums
Rebuttals
League typically has not included rebuttals as part of its tried-and-true format. This has led to some criticism that our format is rigid and unfair, particularly in contentious races where acrimony and attacks are becoming the norm. Some leagues have suggested that in lieu of a rebuttal a candidate could address an attack during their closing statement. The downside to that is a candidate must then spend part of their limited closing statement in a way they had not intended, and the attack may have been 30 to 45 minutes earlier.
Your local League may choose to build in rebuttals at candidate forums. If so, this option should be clearly detailed in the forum rules. Your rules should spell out:
Number of rebuttals per candidate (based on number of candidates)
Process for indicating a rebuttal (i.e. cards)
Time limit per rebuttal.
Who can rebut an opponent when several candidates are running?
Anyone
Only the person who is specifically attacked
How many candidates can rebut?
Can a candidate use more than one rebuttal per question?
Are rebuttals allowed during opening statements? Likely not.
Are rebuttals allowed during closing statements? Probably yes, so one candidate doesn’t wait until the opponent has no opportunity to refuse a charge made in the closing.
Methods and Best Practices
LWV Rochester uses a “rebuttal card” methodology which gives candidates 3 rebuttal cards they may use at any time to respond to an opponent. The rebuttal time is limited to 30 seconds.
Prepare rebuttal cards in a distinctive color in a quantity sufficient for the number of candidates x number of rebuttals permitted (the cards can be either blank or simply say rebuttal).
Incorporate this rule change in the final press release sent out before the forum. Sample language might read:
“New this year, candidates will have an opportunity to respond directly to their opponent’s responses to questions. LWV [local name] adopted this new procedure in response to both candidate and voter requests for a more complete dialogue on the candidates’ views and policies. Each candidate will have 3 rebuttal cards that can be used at any time in the forum.”
Incorporate this new procedure in the Moderator’s script using language such as this and modifying to fit your needs:
If a candidate wishes to rebut a candidate’s answer, they must hold up their [pink] rebuttal card. Each candidate has 3 rebuttal cards that may be used during the Q&A or the closing statements. Each rebuttal is limited to 30 seconds. If several candidates wish to rebut a response, the response order will be chosen at random.
No candidate may use more than one rebuttal card per question.
If the candidate who gave the initial response wishes to make a further comment after their opponent has given their 30-second rebuttal, they must also use a rebuttal card and wait to be acknowledged.
Moderators should accurately track how many rebuttals each candidate has used. This could be incorporated as part of the Response Tracking Grid.
Have two timers — one to handle the responses, one to handle rebuttals.
The “rebuttal timer” will start the clock after the Moderator acknowledges the candidate. Use the 15-second warning card and the stop card.
Clear the timer/stopwatch immediately since there may be a second rebuttal.
