Sample Moderator Script

The hosting League has:

Invited the candidates, the press, publicized the event and confirmed that all
is in order.
Arranged for a question screening panel that will sort and prioritize questions
and make sure they are legible.
Confirmed that the moderator is:
nonpartisan,
not identified with a particular party or issues,
not a voter in the district,
able to handle the degree of complexity of the event
Information that would be helpful to provide the moderator prior to event:
Event format
Description of races and number of candidates running
Other contextual information the hosting League feels would be helpful to
provide, i.e., hot button issues, contentious races, etc.
Script
PM INTRODUCTION (Introducer): Good [afternoon or evening], Im [
LWV of [

] of the

]. The League is a non-partisan political organization for women and men, which

encourages informed and active participation in government. This forum is part of our ongoing
voter education efforts to help voters make informed decisions at the upcoming elections. We
hope that over the course of this program you will learn more about the candidates and what
they hope to do for [ ]. I will now turn the meeting over to our moderator, [
LWV of [

] of the

].

Face of the League in your town

Nonpartisan policy

Moderator from another town / voting district

Forum Instructions (Moderator): Welcome to this candidates forum. I will start by explaining
some procedures for the forum, which each candidate received ahead of time.

Instructions for the candidates

You will have [

] for an opening statement, [

] to answer each question. There will be a [

] for a closing statement, and [

] rebuttal after each question.

Opening and closing statements will be done in the following order, based on [

The timekeeper is sitting in the first row. When there is half a minute left on your speaking

].

time, the time-keeper will hold up a card that says 30 seconds, indicating that you have 30
seconds to finish your answer. At 15 seconds, the time-keeper will hold up a card that says
15 seconds. Please wrap up when you see the Stop Card. If you continue speaking after
the Stop Card is held up, I will say Thank you and move on to the next speaker.

Personal references about other candidates are out of order.

Please note the cameras at the back of the room. This forum is being broadcast live and will
be rebroadcast several times on [

].

Instructions to the audience

Please turn off your cell phones and beeping watches now.

We request that you treat all candidates fairly.

Please remain quiet throughout the forum. No clapping, cheering or calling out, with the
exception that, after their closing statements, you may clap for all candidates if you wish.

No campaign literature or signs are allowed inside this room.

You are encouraged to submit questions for the candidates on the provided index cards.
Questions must be addressed to all candidates, and must apply to issues or qualifications
for their particular office. Raise your hand if youd like another index card or to have your
question collected. A League panel will review the questions for legibility, clarity and
applicability to all candidates. We will use as many questions as time allows, sometimes
combining similar questions, striving to cover a variety of topics. If you dont hear your
particular question, it could be combined with other similar questions. [If applicable:
candidates will be available following the forum to talk with people (indicate refreshments if
they are being served)].

Or:

Questions from the audience will be taken from the microphone located [

]. Please line up

and state your name and ask your question. I ask that your questions be respectful.
Questions should be to all candidates all will have the opportunity to respond.
[when there are multiple sets of candidates explain the sequence and timing for each, including
approximate time for each segment and when each will be completed.]

Sets the tone

Makes sure that everyone knows the rules candidates should know them already,
important for audience to know as well

How to ask questions / question process

Timing of segments and questions

Source of Questions
Questions prepared and/or reviewed by the League in advance
Questions submitted in writing at the event and reviewed by the League
before being passed to the moderator
Questions asked by the audience from the floor (limit the time) that can be
ruled out of order by the moderator
Questions asked by a panel of questioners that can be ruled out of order by
the moderator
Questions asked by the candidates of each other that can be ruled out of
order by the moderator.

Starting the Candidates Forum (Moderator)

We will start with the candidates for the following office:

Opening statements: [can eliminate openings if there are time constraints]

You have [

] for your opening statement.

Q&A

Now we move on to the question and answer portion of our forum:

You have [

You have a rebuttal of [ ] for each question. [rebuttal can vary or not be used]

] to answer each question.

Closing statements:

Well now move on to closing statements.

You have [

] for your closing statement.

Closing
Closing by moderator remember to vote info cable rebroadcast, thanks to
candidates for running since that what it takes to make democracy work, etc.
CLOSING (Introducer or Moderator): Id like to close this forum by thanking all of the
candidates for their participation in our democratic process. I would also like to thank [ ]for
serving as our moderator this afternoon. To the voters, please remember to vote on [

]at [

The polls are open from 7 am to 8pm. If you need an absentee ballot, the application for the
absentee ballot must be received by the Town Clerks office by noon on [

].

Thank you and good day.

=================================================
From LWVUS How to Watch a Debate
Does the format give each candidate an equal opportunity to speak and
respond to questions?
Are the questions clear, fair and equally tough on all candidates?
Do the questions cover the issues that are important to you?
Is the moderator in control of the debate? Does the moderator need to say
less and let the candidates say more?

].

Response

Follow-up

Opening Statement

Question 1

Question 2

Question 3

Question 4

Question 5

Question 6

Question 7

Question 8

Question 9

Question 10

Question 11

Question 12

Question 13

Question 14

Question 15

Question 16

Closing Statement

Response

Follow-up

Opening Statement

Question 1

Question 2

Question 3

Question 4

Question 5

Question 6

Question 7

Question 8

Question 9

Question 10

Question 11

Question 12

Question 13

Question 14

Question 15

Question 16

Closing Statement