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Frequently Asked QuestionsWho is involved in the Indiana Debate Commission?The initial group involves both media and citizen groups hosted by the Indiana Coalition for Open Government, a statewide nonprofit that organized in 1995. ICOG was instrumental in the creation of the Public Access Counselor’s office and continues to be the only statewide membership group dedicated exclusively to access issues. ICOG is also a participating member and affiliated with OpenTheGovernment.org, in Washington, D.C., and the National Freedom of Informational Coalition, based in Columbia, Missouri. Who else has been involved in the planning and creation of the Commission?Elected officials or proxies appointed by these groups were all at the planning table starting with meetings in February 2007. Each was instrumental in bringing ideas to the creation of the Commission and how it should operate.
Why were these groups invited to the table?We started with statewide associations or membership groups that represent media and/or citizens or those that have been involved in hosting candidate forums or debates. Some of the groups also are long-time affiliates of ICOG and similarly interested in access issues. Based on past attempts to form a debate group, we collectively decided that membership groups would be better than asking individual media outlets – largely due to the competitive nature of the news business. How are debate questions selected from the public?Hoosiers are asked to submit questions online via a form posted on the commission’s website. Questions are reviewed by the board and a committee of the board. Those questioners who are selected are often asked to attend debates in person and ask their questions during the live broadcast. Some are pre-taped and submitted via video. For those who cannot attend, the moderator poses the question submitted from the pool of questions selected. Names, hometowns and occupations of the questioners are also disclosed during the broadcast. Does the commission track viewership?Only loosely and if broadcast outlets voluntarily report or provide those numbers. The commission does not pay for Nielsen data, which is subscription data that tracks generally only commercial stations. In Indiana, many of the broadcasters who use the free satellite feed are public affiliates and stations. How does the commission decide its schedule of debates?Because of the volunteer nature of the commission, its primary focus since 2007 has been on statewide races that have the potential to impact the largest number of Hoosiers. In 2008, the commission sponsored three debates in the governor’s race. In April 2010, the commission sponsored a single primary debate for five candidates competing for the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Sen. Evan Bayh. In the fall of 2010, the commission is sponsoring three debates for the three candidates in the same U.S. Senate race. How is the commission funded?The commission is incorporated in the state of Indiana and is a 501c3 non-profit organization. For each election cycle, the commission relies on professional volunteers who donate their services and time. There is no paid staff. Financial support generally comes from affiliates and their foundations for the base of the commission’s operations. Without the generosity of the affiliated groups, our mission of “Putting Voters First” would not be possible. At the conclusion of each debate, the commission posts a lengthy list of volunteers who make these events possible. Has any other state formed a formal debate commission?We’ve not been able to find a similar organization organized formally on a state level; however, SPJ chapters across the country have organized comparable informal groups in the past for gubernatorial debates only. Does Indiana have a a history of debate?Political debates in Indiana began in the 19th century. More information is available in the Tradition of Candidate Debates in Indiana section of our About Us page. Why did Indiana formalizing a commission?There has been agreement since the beginning that a formal organization is necessary for structure, fundraising, accountability and to deliver a message to political candidates that we’re serious about providing a formal structure for organized debates in Indiana. Candidates and political organizers have also expressed interest in past years for a similar non-partisan structure. The goal is the same: to provide the largest audience, format and structure for candidates seeking elected office in Indiana.
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We wish to acknowledge the support of the following companies that have contributed their services to the Indiana Debate Commission:
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