With all the rule discussions going on. I have decided to create a discussion thread. This discussion regards the debates during the elections. I know in the past there have been some questions that has been repeated over and over again. This time, I am planning to gather as much Debate Questions for use in eather the Forum or the Chatroom version of the Debates.

I encurage All citizens to submit there questions in this thread

Thanks,
The Election Office Staff

Actually, CG, I am glad you brought this thread up. :)

In addition to your Debate Questions, I would like to continue a dialogue that started back at the beginning of DG3 regarding Debate Reform.

The old thread is here (http://forums.civfanatics.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=52121).

I think we should try something different this time around that allows more interaction between the candidates. I don't really want to repeat myself, so please go to the link and then post your thoughts. :)

Yes, let's have open debates! Anyone remember the old Soap Box Debate between Strider and myself? Hmmm... We had to have two run-off elections to settle that one. :(

I support open debates as well, and would be willing to reinstitute the chatroom debates if there's support for them.

Hmm, it would be hard to do a open live debates on the forums, but it would be easy to do so on a desginated chatroom like #debates

The Great Soapbox Debate wasn't in a blasted chat room! :mad: It was simply a thread where anyone could post questions about the goals and running of the science department. The candidates were able to post in the thread to answer these specific questions or just get up and make speeches in the thread.

I say we do away with the old process of asking the same old questions month after month and quit lumping all the various debates into single branch threads. Let's open one thread for each election and have real debates.

I still think it would be best if debates were allowed to unfold in the Nominations thread. During elections, that is where all of the action is so it stands to reason that this is the best place for candidates to be heard.

To preserve order, we can have strictly nominations for the first two days, and then open the floor for debates. A post from a moderator or the Election Office can begin the transition from Nomination thread to Debate thread. We can actually change the title to Campaign thread, which will see the entire pre-election process evolve from it grass roots beginnings all the way up to the mad dash for the voting booths.

Although this is my basic proposal, I am open to suggestions for better implementation.

True, I am too, also open to any new Idea for the debates to make this as smoothly as possible and without a lot of spam of course.

Also to make sure that people actualy visit the debates before voting. On the Polls I can make sure that there is a link to the apropreate debate/campaing thread.

Ill be also going through the old polls, Debates, and Nomination record them on a *.txt document and pass them onto the other Election Staff Members (So they can post the polls, Debates, and nominations in the event that RL events keeps me away from the computer during the time that they will be posted)

I will keep the main *.txt Documents in my USB Flash Drive incase one of the Election Staff Members lost theres or if my Harddrive has to be reformated.

On the topic of debates. I have partisipated in the Word Association thread, and the rule there is that "Once you post, you have to wait untill 2 other posters have posted there responce untill you can post again" See here for the details on how the "Post once, wait for 2 posts" rule works (http://forums.civfanatics.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=69110). This is an Idea that I am tossing to the floor for discusssions.

Originally posted by donsig
I say we do away with the old process of asking the same old questions month after month and quit lumping all the various debates into single branch threads. Let's open one thread for each election and have real debates. Hear! Hear! It's about time somebody said this. The old "debates" weren't even debates - more like applications for employment (and bad ones at that ;)).

Originally posted by Donovan Zoi
I still think it would be best if debates were allowed to unfold in the Nominations thread. During elections, that is where all of the action is so it stands to reason that this is the best place for candidates to be heard.I think this is a great idea! In fact, I would go further and suggest that we allow nominations and debates to overlap for a period, perhaps up until the elections open. Then, there will be no excuse for individuals who are underwhelmed by the candidate's responses to the debate questions to stay out of an election.

I would suggest we open nominations and allow debating to commence immediately in the nominations thread. Furthermore, I would not close the nominations/debate threads until the elections close (with no new nominations once the elections open for obvious reasons). Finally, I'd prohibit candidates from posting in the election threads (no campaigning at the polling booths).

One thread per election for nominations and debates. One thread per election for the actual election poll.

Note: CG - I don't think we should restrict any individual's right to post in an election/debate/nomination thread.

Originally posted by FortyJ
Note: CG - I don't think we should restrict any individual's right to post in an election/debate/nomination thread.

Umm, I was only tossing that as an idea, I guess that bursted intoflames before it ever got off the ground

I like Donovan Zoi's idea of opening the nomination threads for the debates after nominations close. But does this mean the nomination period will be only two days? Two days to nominate and accept?

Originally posted by donsig
I like Donovan Zoi's idea of opening the nomination threads for the debates after nominations close. But does this mean the nomination period will be only two days? Two days to nominate and accept?

Agreed. Not enough time.

Open the nominations a week before polling, and let them stay open right until the poll goes up. Allow the debates to start immediately. I would like the Election Commission to establish, for each branch, a brief questionaire to serve as an introduction for new candidates.

Open debates - absolutely enjoyed the one I participated in for DG3 (can't remember the term).

-- Ravensfire

40J - absolutely agree with the nomination and election threads, and keeping candidates out of the election thread. As a once and future candidate, trying to participate in the same discussion in two places would drive me nuts! I'll let my supporters do that ... Oh wait, you mean I need to HAVE supporters first? Nuts.

-- Ravensfire