Political debates provide voters a unique opportunity to assess candidates for public office from a broad perspective, long before election day. While paid media gives voters a highly curated view of candidates in the image and tone each campaign wants them to project, and individual voter engagement experiences like door-to-door canvassing or telephone calls require tremendous resources, debates offer candidates a chance to discuss their visions, platform, and record. They also provide them with an opportunity to poke public jabs at their opponents, all within a limited amount of time.
The format of political debates varies, but most include each candidate giving a brief opening statement and then a panel of well-known journalists will ask sets of prepared questions that leaders can either answer collectively or individually. Often, there is also some time set aside for an often heated free-for-all debate. The moderator attempts to exercise some control over the debate by limiting the length of responses and stopping the debate when time has run out.
While research has shown that a single debate performance is unlikely to move a voter who is already on the fence, it’s possible that two debate performances could help candidates who need a boost in support or those with undecided supporters. This year’s debates are taking place earlier in the campaign cycle than previous elections, and this could lead to larger post-debate polling movements than we have seen in past cycles. Each debate also includes a period where the audience can ask their questions to the leaders.
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