Climate Change and Economic Inequality are the final choices for the 2023-2024 National Debate Topic

The National Federation of State High School Associations recently tabulated debate ballots from 37 states, Washington D.C., the National Speech and Debate Association, the National Debate Coaches Association, the National Association for Urban Debate Leagues, and the National Catholic Forensic League. The 41 states and national organizations that participated was the most since the 1997-1998 topic balloting. The returned ballots narrowed the five proposed topics to two for placement on the final ballot to select the 2023-2024 national high school debate topic. The five topic areas were ranked 1-5 with the two topic areas receiving the lowest totals – Climate Change and Economic Inequality – placed on the final ballot. On January 10, 2023, the NFHS will announce the preferred topic area and resolution after states and national organizations are able to place a final vote. The 2023-2024 national high school debate topic and resolution will be posted on the NFHS Speech and Debate webpage and sent to state associations and affiliate members.

The following states returned ballots:

In addition to the 37 State Associations, the NDCA, NSDA, NAUDL, and NCFL returned the ballot.

Within each of the five topic areas appears one resolution.  The resolutions within the two final topic areas are:

CLIMATE CHANGE

• Resolved: The United States federal government should substantially increase its restrictions on greenhouse gas emissions in the United States.

ECONOMIC INEQUALITY

• Resolved: The United States federal government should substantially increase fiscal redistribution in the United States by adopting a federal jobs guarantee, expanding Social Security, and/or providing a basic income.

The following chart summarizes the balloting on the topic areas and their respective resolutions. Areas ranked 1-2-3-4-5 with low combined total indicative of top ranking.

National Policy Debate Topic Area Balloting:

92          Economic Inequality

113       Climate Change

129       South Asia

132       Agricultural Subsidies

149       Latin America

See how we got to 5 topics

Check out FREE resources on the Emerging Technologies Topic (Debated in 2022-2023)

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