League of Women Voters ^®
of Connecticut

Tonight’s Secretary of the State Debate at the University of Hartford and Thursday’s 5th Congressional Debate at Central Connecticut State University will bring the Connecticut Public and the League of Women Voters of Connecticut (LWVCT) 2022 debate series to a close. U.S. Senate and Gubernatorial Debates Canceled Due to Candidate Non-Participation

It wasn’t that long ago, that during election season, candidates eagerly awaited being invited to a League of Women Voters of Connecticut debate. This is the first time we have encountered so much opposition by the parties, and (some) candidates to participate in our debates or control how we run them. Something has changed, but it is not the League. The League will continue to educate voters by using all of our voter education tools: printed materials, online and social media platforms as well as debates to bring voters non-partisan information about the candidates and the issues. Our League mission to empower voters and defend democracy continues…

In recent election cycles, we have noticed an alarming trend among candidates from both parties—a reluctance by some to participate in debates. This is unfortunate. Debates are an important part of the elections process. Our democracy depends on a mutual relationship of respect between candidates and the voters who elect them.

Connecticut Public and the League of Women Voters of Connecticut (LWVCT) have set the dates, locations and moderators for an unprecedented series of eight debates that they will co-produce in advance of the November general elections, including the statewide offices of governor, U.S. Senate, secretary of the state, and Connecticut’s five U.S. Congressional districts.