The stage is set for the first face-to-face clash of the 2024 election season between President Joe Biden and his predecessor and opponent, Donald Trump.
CNN has extended invitations to both candidates to debate on June 27 at its Atlanta studios. This debate will differ from past ones in that there won’t be a live audience present.
CNN has laid out specific criteria for candidates to qualify.
All debaters must meet the eligibility requirements outlined in Article II, Section 1 of the US Constitution to serve as president. Biden, Trump, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Cornel West, and Jill Stein, all meet these criteria, despite running on non-major-party tickets.
Additionally, candidates must submit a formal statement of candidacy to the Federal Election Commission, which all five have done.
Moreover, candidates must appear on enough state ballots to potentially secure 270 electoral votes and must attain at least 15% in four distinct national polls of registered or likely voters that adhere to CNN’s reporting standards. These standards are met by polls conducted by several reputable organizations such as CNN, ABC News, Fox News, and others.
While Biden and Trump are likely to meet these requirements, it’s less certain for the other candidates, particularly Kennedy, who is only on the ballot in five states but aims to expand his presence. West has secured ballot access in six states.
In recent national polls, Kennedy has been polling at approximately 13%, whereas West and Stein have been averaging around 3%.
Furthermore, debaters must agree to abide by the rules and format of the debate, which both Trump and Biden have agreed to.
