Candidates’ Night

The Harper’s Choice Community Association (HCCA) will be holding a Candidates’ Night so that eligible Harper’s Choice voters may have the opportunity to meet, and ask questions of, the candidates running for HCCA Board of Directors (four candidates for two seats) and Columbia Council Representative (two candidates for one seat).

Candidates’ Night will be held on Tuesday, April 26 from 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm in the Marchand Room of Kahler Hall.  Please email or call Susan Coghlan at events@haperschoice.org or 410-730-0770 to let us know if you plan on attending.  Below is the format and guidelines for the evening:

Candidates’ Statements

1. Candidate statements will be made in the same order as the candidates appear on the ballot, which was determined by lot.

2. Candidates will have five minutes each. A timer selected by the EMC will signal when 30 seconds remain.

Opening remarks by the Chair of the Election Monitor Committee

1. Welcome

2. Review of the format and guidelines for the evening.

Candidate Questioning by Eligible Voters: Round One

1. Eligible voters will be given two numbered tickets when they enter the room.  If they wish to ask a question they will deposit one of the tickets into a receptacle designated by the EMC. They will be able to deposit their tickets when they arrive and during the candidates’ statements and questioning.

2. An individual designated by the EMC will draw tickets to determine the order of questions. If an eligible voter, when selected, has had their question answered or chooses not to voice a question, they will so indicate by saying “Pass” and another ticket will be drawn.

3. Questioners will have no longer than 30 seconds to state their questions.  The questions can be directed to an individual, all the candidates, or any combination and in an order determined by the questioner.  If no order is defined, the candidates will respond on a rotating basis as determined by the EMC chair. The response from the candidates will be no longer than 90 seconds. The Timer will signal when 15  seconds remain. The questioner will state their name and address.

4. Ineligible voters, as determined by the EMC, will be asked to hold their questions until after the formal meeting and speak to the candidates individually. Candidates will not answer questions from ineligible voters.

5. After all the tickets have been drawn, round two will begin.  In the event that all tickets have not been drawn by 8:55 PM, the questioning will end; there will be no Round Two.

Candidate Questioning by Eligible Voters: Round Two

1. Those eligible voters who wish to ask additional questions will raise their hand to be recognized by the Moderator.

2. Questioners will have no longer than 30 seconds to state their questions. The questions can be directed to an individual, all the  candidates, or any combination and in an order determined by the questioner. If no order is defined, the candidates will respond on a rotating basis as determined by the EMC chair. The response from the candidates will be no longer than 90 seconds. The Timer will signal when 15  seconds remain. The questioner will state their name and address.

3. Ineligible voters will be asked to hold their questions until after the formal meeting and speak to the candidates individually. Candidates will not answer questions from ineligible voters.

4. Round Two will end at 8:55PM.

Closing Statements

1. Each Candidate will be given 90 seconds for a closing statement. The Timer will signal when 15 seconds remain. Closing statements will be in the same order as opening statements.

2. Candidates will be able to continue their conversations after the formal meeting with interested parties.

Informal discussions with candidates ends at 9:30 PM.