Letter to the Editor: Practice your democracy with the Ohio Debate Commission
The following column is a submitted Letter to the Editor from Sophia Neilsen, an intern for the Ohio Debate Commission. It has been edited for AP Style, grammar and clarity.
Please note that the views of this letter do not reflect those of The New Political.
Knowledge is power and who among us desires to be powerless? With an average voter turnout of roughly 50% for the previous ten years, Ohio had the highest voter turnout in 2020, at just 73.99%, according to the Ohio Secretary of State’s website. After 2020, the voter turnout rate plummeted to the original conditions. This indicates that in a swing state such as Ohio, almost half of all Ohioans do not cast a ballot. Candidates are engaging less and less with the public, and people running campaigns are struggling with circumstances where citizens are unsure how to make informed decisions amid an informational and conspiracy crisis.
In specific demographics, statewide debate commissions could be the answer. According to a study on American voters, a third of young voters refrained from voting due to inadequate knowledge. Compared to previous generations, Generation Z interacts with media most frequently; social media is incorporated with television viewing habits, recognizing that young people lack confidence and are looking for new answers, especially with the resources available to them.
The Ohio Debate Commission (ODC)) is a nonpartisan group that believes debates can improve public education about voting options and motivate individuals to cast ballots. In October 2023, the ODC held a forum on Issue 1 in collaboration with Spectrum News, The Columbus Dispatch and The Cincinnati Enquirer. It was televised across numerous stations.
As an intern for the ODC, my experience as a Spectrum Ambassador for the forum made me realize how underrated debates are and how crucial the concept is for the public. During debates, candidates can clearly state their prospects and support themselves in the face of criticism from opponents. This makes it harder for politicians to avoid the confrontation of important subjects by holding them responsible for their opinions and actions. Voters naturally think critically when they watch debates, and as a young voter I stimulated my knowledge from different perspectives during the experience. Voters get the chance to analyze the arguments made, evaluate the supporting data and reflect on the logic of each candidate’s recommendations. A voter needs to be intellectually engaged in making deliberate decisions without feeling forced or pressured into casting a ballot for their promising future.
Debates are essential because they help people understand opposing viewpoints and highlight the significance of voting by mediating between them. Regardless of their opinions, citizens should be encouraged to vote and feel enabled to grasp the seriousness of problems by widely broadcasted discussions. As a young voter and intern for the ODC, the realization acquired through the immersive experience made me explore diverse perspectives. Several candidates with varying backgrounds, experiences and political views frequently participate in debates. Voters can examine various concepts and possible solutions for societal issues due to the diversity of viewpoints. Debates are still alive, but citizens can witness the collapse if they neglect the idea of debates.
The power is in everyone's hands, yet we continue to fail ourselves. As a young voter who attained two minors in sociology and psychology in college, I have been attentive to politics and protests for years. Before obtaining and securing myself with this dream internship, statewide debates were unheard of for me. I grew into adulthood through Donald Trump's presidency, where presidential debates were glorified and familiarized because they were seen as entertainment and made a mockery of. People may think, “Why should I watch a debate? Why should I watch people argue?” Real debates promote problem-solving and are essential to society’s democratic process.
Social media is remarkable for getting messages across, bringing people together, and being informative. It allows people to connect, spread awareness on topics like debates and encourage people to educate themselves. However, social media can also spread misinformation on crucial societal issues and disregard the needs of citizens. Voters must regain their power, allow themselves to immerse themselves in debates from different perspectives and feel secure through their choices.