Part IV: Candidate Forums
Types of Questions
All candidates at the forum are asked the same questions. These usually take the form of:
| Question Type | Typical Format | Sample(s) |
| General Questions (most common type) |
How would... Please describe your views on... What are... Who... Why... If... |
What are your top three legislative priorities for Any Town? Why did you decide to run for mayor of Any Town? Please describe your qualifications and skills that would make you a good choice for Any Town school board. |
| Lightning Round Questions (specific limited options to respond) |
Yes or no One sentence Ten seconds |
Should Any Town build a dog park? Do you support XYZ proposal/idea? How can Any Town recruit more businesses to relocate here? |
| Process Questions (reveals respondent’s thought process) |
Tell us how you would choose between... Tell us how you reach out to constituents... Tell us how you make decisions... |
Some recreational groups in our county want more snowmobile trails while our library is cutting funding for materials. How will you choose between funding these two options? The Any Town newspaper recently said the City Council was not in touch with its citizens. If elected, tell us how you will stay in touch and listen to the people who elected you. |
| Follow-up Questions (digs deeper into a topic) |
Staying with (topic), please elaborate on... Tell us more about (topic)... |
Please elaborate on where the funding to increase our library’s collection will come from. |
Facilitating Questions
What We Tell Candidates and the Audience About the Questions
All questions must be submitted in writing and are submitted to an impartial committee familiar with the issues. The committee will review the questions, or create new ones, based on these criteria:
It is our intention, in good faith, to select questions that represent the interests expressed by the voters.
Questions should focus on the future and not be based on hindsight.
Questions must be on subjects relevant to this forum or election race.
Questions that are of a personal nature, embarrassing, inappropriately hostile, or unclear in intent will not be asked.
All questions must be addressed to all candidates.
Questions may be consolidated or edited.
The Moderator will make the final selection of questions asked.