The National Federation of State High School Associations recently tabulated debate ballots from 34 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 returned ballots narrowed the five proposed topics to two for placement on the final ballot to select the 2021-2022 national high school debate topic. The five topic areas were ranked 1-5 with the two topic areas receiving the lowest totals – Russia and Water Resources – placed on the final ballot. On January 19, 2021, the NFHS will announce the preferred topic area and resolution after states and national organizations are able to place a final vote. The 2021-2022 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 35 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:

RUSSIA

• Resolved: The United States federal government should substantially increase its diplomatic engagement with the Russian Federation regarding one or more of the following: arms control, the Arctic, cybersecurity, human rights.

WATER RESOURCES

• Resolved: The United States federal government should substantially increase its protection of water resources in the United States.

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:

76        Water Resources

84        Russia

135      Pakistan

142      Nation State Recognition

145      Election Law

See the final topic here

See how we got to 5 topics

See other NFHS Performing Arts Resources