Saturday, October 10, 2026 · Ballantine Hall, Indiana University Bloomington. This event commemorates the 250th anniversaries of the Declaration of Independence (1776) and the U.S. Constitution (1787). In 1787, fifty-five delegates spent a summer arguing over how a free people should govern itself. In this event, you spend a day doing the same — with the document they wrote on the table in front of you.

What is Constitutional Convention Debate?

Constitutional Convention Debate is a new event, created for this tournament, in which students serve as delegates to a modern constitutional convention. The convention debates proposals — draft constitutional amendments published in advance — under simple parliamentary procedure adapted from Congressional Debate and from the rules the framers adopted for themselves in 1787. Delegates give short speeches for and against each proposal, question one another, offer amendments to perfect the text, and vote: adoption takes a two-thirds vote, echoing Article V of the Constitution.

The event is among the most accessible formats for newcomers — no prior experience is needed. Participating develops persuasive speaking, close reading of constitutional text, sharp questioning, drafting, negotiation, and good citizenship.

How the day works, in brief

• One convention, all day

  A convention is a continuing body: the same delegates deliberate together across two extended sessions, building a record — just as in 1787.

• Short speeches

  Speeches are up to 3 minutes, each followed by a short questioning period. Two minutes is a strong novice speech.

• Both sides

  Every delegate prepares to argue both for and against each proposal — the heart of responsible, open-minded citizenship.

• Amend & adopt

  Delegates may offer perfecting amendments to improve a proposal’s text. Adoption takes a two-thirds vote, so persuasion across differences is the whole game.

Founding themes, today’s questions

The proposals center on questions the framers argued about — and Americans still argue about today: the structure of government (terms, elections, and accountability), the powers of the branches, and the rights of conscience and privacy. Each sample proposal begins with a founding-era debate and connects it to a present-day question. See the Sample Proposals for the docket style and balanced briefs on both sides.

Who can participate

The College division is Novice and is primarily intended for Indiana University Bloomington students, with others welcome on a case-by-case basis. No debate background is required — if you can read a proposal and say what you think, you can do this. Faculty, families, and civic leaders are invited to observe and judge.