SYLACAUGA, Ala. – Citizens in Sylacauga will head to the polls on Aug. 25 to vote for city council and mayoral candidates. Before the vote, SylacaugaNews.com will be asking the candidates your questions.
SylacaugaNews.com, along with Yea!106.5 and KiX 100.3, is giving voters the opportunity to ask the Sylacauga city council and mayoral candidates questions in a two-night special video Q&A event.
By submitting questions here, three questions will be selected by members of the Alabama Broadcasters Association. All 21 candidates will be allotted the same amount of time to answer the same three questions. Candidates will not know the questions before the on-camera interview.
Candidates will have up to four minutes total on-camera. Candidates will start with up to a minute-long opening statement followed by one minute each of answering the three questions.
Questions for the candidates will be accepted through Tuesday, Aug. 4 at 11:59 p.m.
“We are committed to fair, honest, and transparent reporting,” said Michael Brannon, Executive Vice President of RadioAlabama and Managing Editor of SylacaugaNews.com. “We know the importance of what an election can bring to the table and it’s imperative to ensure all candidates have an opportunity to explain their viewpoints. By using this format and participation from voters, we can provide a unique and timely platform for all involved.”
The strict time format will be adhered to according to Brannon; up to one-minute opening statement and up to one-minute response per question with a timer present. The time will also be seen on video for viewers.
“All too often, we see unequal time for candidates in debates and forums. There are interruptions, people continue talking after the time is up, and more. To keep everything fair, if a candidate is not finished answering the asked question at one minute, whatever they say after will hit the cutting room floor and not be aired,” said Brannon.
Tune in to SylacaugaNews.com’s Facebook Page and SylacaugaNews.com starting at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 11 for candidates from District 1, District 2, and District 3 and Wednesday, Aug. 12 for District 4, District 5, and Mayoral candidates.
Click here to submit your questions by Tuesday, Aug. 4 at 11:59 p.m.
