2025 SOMERVILLE MAYORAL DEBATE — RUN OF SHOW & RULES

Hosts: Somerville Media Center & The Somerville Beacon

Date: Monday, October 20, 2025

Call Time for Candidates: 7:00 PM

Debate: 7:30–8:30 PM

A) Roles

B) Debate Overview

Segment	Duration	Approx. Time
Welcome & Rules Introduction (description of rules to candidates and audience)	3:00	7:30–7:33
Opening Statements (Wilson → Burnley)	4:00	7:33–7:37
Main Q&A (8 Questions)	34:00	7:37–8:11
Rapid-Fire Round (6 Questions)	6:00	8:11–8:17
Closing Statements (Burnley → Wilson)	4:00	8:17–8:21
Buffer & Transitions	9:00	8:21–8:30

C) Main Q&A Flow (8 Questions)

Format per question (4:15 total):

1. Moderator reads the question (~15s)
2. First answer – 90s
3. Second answer – 90s
4. First rebuttal – 30s (optional)
5. Second rebuttal – 30s (optional)

A candidate may decline to offer a rebuttal. When used, rebuttals must respond directly to the prior answer and may not introduce new material.

Speaking order alternates each question:

Question	First answer	Second answer	First rebuttal	Second rebuttal
1	Wilson	Burnley	Wilson	Burnley
2	Burnley	Wilson	Burnley	Wilson
3	Wilson	Burnley	Wilson	Burnley
4	Burnley	Wilson	Burnley	Wilson
5	Wilson	Burnley	Wilson	Burnley
6	Burnley	Wilson	Burnley	Wilson
7	Wilson	Burnley	Wilson	Burnley
8	Burnley	Wilson	Burnley	Wilson

Timing enforcement:

• A digital countdown clock (on-stage timer) will be visible to both candidates and the moderator.
• The timer will not be visible to the audience.
• Candidates are asked to be finished speaking before time runs out.

D) Rapid-Fire Round (6 Questions)

• Moderator poses a series of "yes or no" questions.
• Candidates hold up YES or NO signs instead of speaking.

Order alternates each question:

Question	Holds up sign first	Holds up sign second
1	Wilson	Burnley
2	Burnley	Wilson
3	Wilson	Burnley
4	Burnley	Wilson
5	Wilson	Burnley
6	Burnley	Wilson

E) Opening & Closing Statements

• Opening Statements (2 minutes each): Wilson speaks first, then Burnley.
• Closing Statements (2 minutes each): Burnley speaks first, then Wilson.

F) Ground Rules & Etiquette

• No props or visuals (except YES/NO signs in the rapid-fire round).
• Notes are permitted.
• Please allow each speaker to finish without interruption.
• Keep responses focused and relevant to the question asked.