Political debate is a critical platform for candidates to present their views and policies directly to voters. As a result, the quality of these events has a profound impact on voter perception and choice. The format of a debate can also significantly influence how candidates are perceived by voters, for example, a rapid-fire question format might highlight the ability to respond quickly, while a town hall format might allow for a more personal connection with constituents. In addition, the debate environment can impact whether candidates make misinformed or false statements that are able to spread quickly and widely before they can be fact-checked.
Since the first presidential debate in 1956, the Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD) has worked to improve the debate process and enhance its civic education value by establishing rules for participation that are designed to be fair, nonpartisan, and impartial. The CPD’s objective debate selection criteria identifies candidates who have a statistically feasible chance of winning the electoral votes necessary to become president.
To achieve this goal, the criteria includes a minimum 15 percent level of national support among five nationally recognized polling organizations defined by the CPD as “nationally significant.” In addition, the sponsor must not take an approach that is so inclusive that invitations are extended to candidates with scant public support, thereby jeopardizing the voter education purpose of the debates. The CPD has carefully considered all of these factors in determining its debate selection criteria, and strives to strike the proper balance in each cycle.
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