The Ronald Reagan Debate Series is a national high school debate competition that invites students in grades 9–12 to engage in thoughtful, civil discourse and compete for their share of $50,000 in scholarship prizes. Unlike traditional competitive formats, this debate series celebrates the art of effective communication by emphasizing civility, clarity, personality, humor, and storytelling — qualities exemplified by President Ronald Reagan in presidential debate settings.
Hosted by the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation & Institute and held at Simpson University, the Northern California regional invitational offers high school debaters the opportunity to showcase their speaking skills, engage with current civic topics, and compete in a format modeled on presidential-style debate. The 2026 resolution for this regional competition is:
“Resolved: As the United States celebrates its 250th anniversary of self-governance, the Electoral College should be replaced by the popular vote in presidential elections.”
Participants who advance through regional rounds may qualify for the National Championship, with finalists earning travel support and the chance to compete for additional scholarship awards.
This event offers a welcoming and engaging environment for both seasoned debaters and newcomers to develop and demonstrate their communication skills, build confidence, and connect with peers from across the region.
