Biden and Trump campaigns reached an accord on mic muting, podium placements as part of the stipulations for the forthcoming CNN debate.
Upcoming Presidential Showdown: A Face-off Between Current President Joe Biden and Ex-President Donald Trump
This confrontation, organized by CNN and scheduled for June 27 in Atlanta, will serve as their first in-person encounter since Biden took office. Both contenders have accepted the invitation extended by the network and agreed to adhere to the debate's guidelines and format as detailed in letters sent to their campaign teams in May.
The 90-minute clash will include two advertising breaks, as per the network's announcement, and team members will be barred from communicating with their candidate during these intervals.
Both leaders have agreed to stand at uniform podiums, and their positions will be determined through a coin toss.
During the debate, microphones will only respond to the candidate who is currently speaking. While props and pre-written notes are banned on stage, candidates will be provided with a pen, a notepad, and a water bottle.
Carrying forward from previous debates, the moderators will utilize all available means to maintain time limits and facilitate a civil discourse, as indicated by the network.
To participate in the debate, candidates should meet the criteria outlined in Article II, Section 1 of the US Constitution to be eligible for the presidency. Both Biden and Trump meet these qualifications, as do Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Cornel West, and Jill Stein, who are running on non-major party tickets.
All candidates are required to file a declaration of candidacy with the Federal Election Commission, a task each of the five accepted.
Every debater must attain the necessary number of votes in various states to surpass the 270 electoral vote requirement for winning the presidency, and attain at least 15% in four separate national polls of registered or anticipated voters that meet CNN's reporting standards. Approved polls are those conducted by CNN, ABC News, CBS News, Fox News, Marquette University Law School, Monmouth University, NBC News, The New York Times/Siena College, NPR/PBS NewsHour/Marist College, Quinnipiac University, The Wall Street Journal, and The Washington Post.
Although possible for Kennedy, it is less probable that candidates other than Biden and Trump will meet these criteria.
As of now, Kennedy has achieved at least 15% in three qualifying polls and is presently listed on the ballot in six states, granting him the potential of 89 Electoral College votes.
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The agreement between Biden and Trump's campaigns includes mic muting during the debate and strategically placed podiums.
The debate guidelines stipulate that only the currently speaking candidate's microphone will be active.
