How to Host a Political Debate Party

Watching a political debate with family and friends often turns into open discussion during the debate. Questions from the moderator(s) as well as answers from the candidates can be missed. Creating a fun atmosphere with a few advance touches and rules can create a more entertaining social setting while also putting a focus on the contents of the debate.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• pens and notepads for everyone
• refreshments

1. Invite your guests by letting them know the evening will be fun and informal but also informative. Ask them to arrive a minimum of one hour before the debate is scheduled to start. This casual time allows them to discuss among themselves what they hope to learn from the debates as well as other political and casual chat.
2. Provide snack trays and beverages for your guests. These need not be elaborate, they simply help put the evening in a casual mood. Judge your guests as you know them, but think carefully about providing alcoholic beverages. Remember, the evening isn't entirely about entertainment and your guests still have to drive home.
3. About half hour before the debate begins, give each guest a pen and notepad. Ask them to list three issues they hope the candidates will most discuss during the debate. Ask them to list one issue that they believe has been over-emphasized. Ask them list each candidate by initials or name; as the debate goes forward, as them to put a mark by the candidate when he or she directly responds to answer in their top three. Save comparing notes until after the debate.
4. Many debates will have at least one intermission. Encourage guests to discuss how they feel the candidates are doing during these breaks. At the end of the evening, everyone can compare notes on how their priority issues were addressed, how they felt the candidates did in the debates, and other points of interest.
5. It is important for us to get involved in the election process. Finding a way to share our ideas with others while learning about those candidates who are asking us to trust them with leadership is a good start.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep the number of guests relatively small. You can always host more than one gathering with different guests.