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Newton Civics Challenge – Format & Rules

Format (subject to change)

The Civics Challenge will consist of 5 rounds of questions followed by a final, high-stakes round.  All teams continue to participate through all the rounds.  Scores will be tallied at the end of each round, and the winners will be determined by the highest scores at the end of all rounds.  The event should take about 2 hours, including some breaks for refreshments.

Questions will take the form of multiple choice, true/false, fill-in-the-blank, open response, or matching.

1st round
  • 10-12 questions on various topics
  • 2 points per correct answer, no penalty for incorrect answer
Matching round on a special topic for 2022 (more info coming soon)
  • 10-15 items to match
  • 2 points per correct answer, no penalty for incorrect answer
2nd round
  • 10-12 questions on various topics
  • 2 points per correct answer, no penalty for incorrect answer
Picture round
  • Teams identify the person, place or thing shown in each picture
  • 2 points per correct answer, no penalty for incorrect answer

Break

3rd round
  • 10-12 questions on various topics
  • Teams choose point value from 1 to 5 to wager for each question.
  • Points are earned for correct answers and deducted for incorrect answers
Final, high-stakes round
  • 2 to 4 open response questions
  • Teams wager between 2 and 10 points for each question
  • If the team answers correctly, it earns the points wagered.  If the answer is incorrect, the team loses half the points wagered.

Rules

  1. Adults and students from the age of eighth grade and above are eligible to participate.
  2. Teams will consist of up to 4 players.
  3. Each question will be read by the moderator.  All responses will be written on the answer sheet provided at the beginning of the round.
  4. Answer sheets will be submitted at the end of each round by the team’s designated “runner” to a designated League volunteer, where the answers will be reviewed and scored.
  5. Judges will be available to review the answers in the event there is a dispute over the correctness of a team’s answer.
  6. The tally of all scores will be announced before the beginning of each round and at the end of the final round.
  7. The team with the most points at the end of all rounds is the winner.
  8. No cell phones will be permitted during the questioning period.  Cell phone use is allowed during breaks.

Additional Information

  • Register now – coming soon
  • View event flyer – coming soon
  • Sample questions and a list of helpful team resources
  • Civics Challenge home page

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Watch “The League Presents…”

The League Presents... is a program on NewTV produced and directed by LWVN members about issues important to our community.

  • The League Presents: An Interview with City Clerk Drew Willison
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League of Women Voters of Newton, MA

League of Women Voters of Newton, MA

The League registers voters and educates them about the important issues and challenges facing Newton and our country today. The League does not endorse or promote candidates.

League of Women Voters of Newton, MA

2 days ago

League of Women Voters of Newton, MA
LWV Newton, in coordination with NewTV and together with other local leagues, hosted a Candidate Forum for the upcoming primary contest for the Governor’s Councillor District 3 with Mara Dolan and Margie Palladino.The forum is live tonight at 7:00 PM. Be an informed voter. ... See MoreSee Less

Decision 2026 - Governor’s Councillor District 3

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NewTV and the League of Women Voters of Newton co-produced this for...

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League of Women Voters of Newton, MA is with League of Women Voters SouthCoast and 4 others at NewTV.

3 days ago

League of Women Voters of Newton, MA
The Massachusetts State Primary is Tuesday, September 1st. Make a voting plan! Watch our forum for the U.S. House Representative for the 4th Congressional District with candidates Jason Poulos and Thomas Stalcup. All primary candidates were invited to participate in their respective forums, but not all candidates accepted our invitation to participate. If two or more primary candidates expressed a willingness to participate, the forum was held. ... See MoreSee Less

Decision 2026 - 4th Congressional District

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NewTV and the League of Women Voters of Newton co-produced this for...

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League of Women Voters of Newton, MA

4 days ago

League of Women Voters of Newton, MA
LWVN will be at today’s India Day Celebration. 4:00-7:30 at Hyde Community Bandstand. Stop by and say hi! ... See MoreSee Less

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League of Women Voters of Newton, MA

2 weeks ago

League of Women Voters of Newton, MA
Submit Candidate Questions for State Representative - 10th Middlesex District: John Lawn and Allison Learyinfo@lwvnewton.orgLWVN and LWV-Waltham are still collecting candidate forum questions for an upcoming taped event at NewTV studios. Submit questions to info@lwvnewton.org by Aug 5.The forum will be broadcast on NewTV and will be available for on-demand viewing via a link on our website. Check www.lwvnewton.org for more information on LWVN's Candidate Forums for the upcoming Primary Election on Tuesday, Septembe#vote##LWVN##lwvmaLWVMA ... See MoreSee Less

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League of Women Voters of Newton, MA

3 weeks ago

League of Women Voters of Newton, MA
Vote by mail is safe in Massachusetts. ... See MoreSee Less

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The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization encouraging the informed and active participation of citizens in government. It influences public policy through education and advocacy.

© 2026 League of Women Voters® Newton | P.O. Box 610207, Newton, MA 02461 | info@lwvnewton.org

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