MTSU’s award-winning debate team will be part of a special public event set Tuesday, Feb. 16, to help show voters how true political discourse should operate.

Sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Murfreesboro/Rutherford County, the 6 p.m. “model debate” Feb. 16 at Murfreesboro’s City Hall also will feature debaters from Belmont University to demonstrate “exemplary political discourse and consider several issues related to the election process,” organizers said.

City Hall is located at 111 W. Vine St., just a block south of Murfreesboro’s Public Square.

“In today’s fractured political environment, we in the league are concerned that Americans have lost sight of what a healthy debate looks like,” said Leslie Collum, co-president of the local League of Women Voters.

“A cornerstone for these teams is integrity, respect and kindness, as well as preparation on the issues.”

Both teams will be prepared to argue either for or against the questions presented and will follow established rules for arguments and rebuttals in the time they’re given — unlike many of the current national political “debates.”

The League of Women Voters is a national, nonpartisan organization that works to encourage informed and active participation in government. Membership in the League of Women Voters of Murfreesboro/Rutherford County is open to men and women of all ages.

For more information about this program and the local League of Women Voters, visit www.lwvrutherford.org.

— Gina E. Fann (gina.fann@mtsu.edu)