On January 10, 2024, ballots from 38 states, the National Speech and Debate Association, the National Catholic Forensic League, National Association for Urban Debate Leagues and the Nation Debate Coaches Association were received and tabulated for the 2024-2025 national high school policy debate topic. There were a total of 42 state/organizations that participated. Intellectual Property Rights was selected over Nuclear Weapons Reduction by a vote of 25-17.
In October the five topic areas were narrowed to two as part of a two-stage balloting process. Use of the second ballot assures a majority of coaches across the nation favor the chosen topic area and resolution.
The 2024 Policy Debate Topic Selection Meeting will be held in Des Moines, Iowa from August 1st-4th, 2024. Specific information regarding lodging, travel arrangements and daily schedules will be sent to your office at a later date. Details about current year updates, topic information and the 24 TSM will be posted here: https://www.nfhs.org/sports-resource-content/nfhs-policy-debate-topic-selection-meeting/
HOW THEY VOTED FOR 2024-2025:
National Policy Debate Topic Area Balloting:
25 INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS
Resolved: The United States federal government should significantly strengthen its protection of domestic intellectual property rights in copyrights, patents, and/or trademarks.
17 NUCLEAR WEAPONS REDUCTION
Resolved: The United States federal government should substantially reduce the size and/or restrict the roles of its nuclear weapons arsenal.
Purchase a Policy Debate Quarterly on Economic Inequality (Debated in 2023-2024)
Check out FREE resources on the Economic Inequality Topic (Debated in 2023-2024)