Empty Chair Policy

League of Women Voters of Falmouth

Updated 10/1/26

Candidate forums for primary, special and general elections are part of the League of Women Voters’ 100-year old tradition of helping voters obtain information about candidates’ stands on issues.  The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan, political nonprofit organization that strives to protect citizens’ voting rights and deliver unbiased education to voters.

It sometimes happens that only one candidate in a contested election accepts a debate invitation or that a candidate cancels a debate appearance after agreeing to participate, leaving the debate with only one participant — often called an "empty chair" debate. If only one candidate accepts the invitation, the debate should be canceled.