WHY WE FORMED

In 2018, after many electoral cycles spent working with campaigns and political parties to organize debates, stakeholders, and civic groups from across Ohio noticed a glaring need: when it came to debates, there was no agreed upon authority, no shared sense of what best practices were, and no clear idea as to what debates ought to look like or strive to accomplish. In practice, this lack of accountability left organizations unprepared for the responsibility and unfamiliar with the work of presenting high quality political debates. 

Given these factors, a group of civic and media organizations joined with colleges and universities to form the nonpartisan Ohio Debate Commission, whose goal is to convene debates of the highest quality for the highest offices in Ohio. We believe that well-managed debates play a critical role in informing citizens about the issues and candidates on the ballot. We also believe that debates ought to be worthy of the sacrifice public service and candidacy represents. With this effort, the Commission aims to mobilize an informed and empowered electorate and honor the work of those who run for office.

The Ohio Debate Commission became a 501(c)(3) organization in 2020 and has been sustained through in-kind and charitable contributions. The ODC receives no government funding.