Disqualification on Time

• The Chief Judge will look at the timer’s information and determine if a time disqualification has occurred.
  
  

  All speeches delivered by contestants must conform to the timing guidelines for the contest.

1. International and Humorous contest speeches must be from five (5) to seven (7) minutes. A contestant will be disqualified if the speech is less than four (4) minutes 30 seconds or more than seven (7) minutes 30 seconds.

2. Table Topics Contest speeches must be from one (1) minute to two (2) minutes. A contestant will be disqualified if the speech is less than one (1) minute or more than two (2) minutes 30 seconds.

3. Evaluation Contest speeches must be from two (2) to three (3) minutes. A contestant will be disqualified if the speech is less than one (1) minute 30 seconds or more than three (3) minutes 30 seconds.

4. Tall Tales Contest speeches must be from three (3) to five (5) minutes. A contestant will be disqualified if the speech is less than two (2) minutes 30 seconds or more than five (5) minutes 30 seconds.

 If a disqualification based on time occurs, the disqualified speaker will be crossed out and other places move up in position.  Yes, a first place winning speech may be disqualified due to time and the 2nd place will move up, etc.

Disqualification on Content Protest

From the Rulebook -

1. Twenty-five percent or less of the speech may be devoted to quoting, paraphrasing, or referencing another person’s content. Any quoted, paraphrased, or referenced content must be so identified during the speech presentation.
2. Before all contests, every contestant must certify in writing to the chief judge that the content of their speech is or will be substantially original by using the Speaker’s Certification of Eligibility and Originality (Item 1183).

• Protests are limited to eligibility and originality and must only be lodged by voting judges and contestants.
  
  
• Any protest must be lodged with the Chief Judge and/or Contest Chair prior to the announcement of the winner and alternate(s).
  
  
• The Chief judge, Contest Chair, voting judges and contestants must not consider protests from audience members.

• Before a contestant can be disqualified on the basis of originality, the contestant must be given an opportunity to respond to the voting judges. A majority of the voting judges must concur in the decision to disqualify.
  
  
• The contest chair can disqualify a contestant on the basis of eligibility.
  
  All decisions of the voting judges and qualifying judges are final.