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How many presidential debates are there in 2016?

By Cheryl Wassenaar

Republican Presidential candidate Donald Trump acknowledges his supporters during the Republican Presidential Debate in Detroit, Michigan, March 3, 2016. / AFP / Geoff Robins (Photo credit should read GEOFF ROBINS/AFP/Getty Images)
Republican Presidential candidate Donald Trump acknowledges his supporters during the Republican Presidential Debate in Detroit, Michigan, March 3, 2016. / AFP / Geoff Robins (Photo credit should read GEOFF ROBINS/AFP/Getty Images) /
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How many presidential debates will there be, and will there be a vice-presidential debate?

Tonight marks the first presidential debate of the 2016 election season. (Previous debates covered the Republican and Democratic presidential primaries, which are basically just the qualifying rounds.) Yes, that means that the election season has finally reached the last few months.

However, this debate will not be the only chance to see both Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump on the stage, facing off against each other. As neither of the third party candidates, Gary Johnson and Jill Stein, have qualified for the first debate, it appears unlikely that they will qualify for further debates.

According to the non-partisan Commission on Presidential Debates, there will be three presidential debates this year.

First is tonight’s debate, held at Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York. NBC’s Lester Holt will moderate. It will take the form of six 15-minute segments for a total of 90 minutes. Holt has selected the three topics and announced them last week as being America’s Direction, Achieving Prosperity, and Securing America.

Then, on Sunday, October 9, the candidates will debate again at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. It will more closely resemble a town hall meeting. CNN’s Anderson Cooper and ABC’s Martha Raddatz will moderate. Half of the questions will come from undecided voters, while the other half will come from the two moderators.

Finally, the third debate will take place on Wednesday, October 19. The University of Nevada in Las Vegas will host. Fox News’ Chris Wallace will act as the moderator.

Next: Hillary Clinton on Between Two Ferns

However, that doesn’t mean that the vice-presidential candidates won’t get a chance to shine. The CPD has already invited Republican candidate Mike Pence and Democratic candidate Tim Kaine to its vice-presidential debate. It will be held at Longwood University in Farmville, Virginia on October 4. CBS’ Elaine Quijano will moderate.

Election Day has been scheduled for November 8.

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