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How the VP debate rules will work for the Walz-Vance 2024 showdown
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How the VP debate rules will work for the Walz-Vance 2024 showdown

Republican vice presidential candidate Senator JD Vance and Democratic vice presidential candidate Governor Tim Walz meet for their first and only debate on Tuesday, October 1, presented by CBS News on the CBS Broadcast Center in New York.

The VP debate starts at 9:00 PM ET, and will be moderated by “CBS Evening News” anchor and editor-in-chief Norah O’Donnell and “Face the Nation” moderator and chief foreign affairs correspondent Margaret Brennan.

Here are the rules for the debate, as outlined by CBS News:

How will the VP debate start and who will stand where?

Walz will be standing behind the stage on the left side of the stage, which is the right side from the moderators’ point of view and on the screen. Vance’s podium is on the other side. Walz and Vance must remain behind their podiums during the debate. They are introduced by the moderators, starting with the incumbent party’s candidate, meaning Walz is introduced first.

Will there be opening statements?

There will be no opening statements.

How long will the VP debate last?

There will be 90 minutes of debate time, beginning at 9:00 PM ET, with two breaks of four minutes each.

Will there be an audience?

Like the debate there will be no studio audience between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump in Philadelphia.

How long do candidates have to answer questions?

For each question, the candidate who is asked the question will be given two minutes to respond, while the other candidate will be given two minutes to respond. Each candidate will then be given one minute for additional rebuttals. And the moderators can each give candidates an extra minute at their discretion to continue on a topic.

Lights for each candidate indicate how much time they have left to speak. The candidates also all have a countdown clock.

The moderators are seated and are the only ones in the room who are allowed to ask questions.

Closing statements

At the end, the candidates each have two minutes for closing statements. On September 26, a coin toss was held so that the winner could choose the order of the closing statements. Vance won the coin toss and chose to go second so he has the final say.

Are the microphones muted while the other candidate is talking?

CBS News reserves the right to mute the candidates’ microphones, but otherwise they will be hot.

Are candidates asked questions in advance?

Candidates will not receive any questions or topics in advance.

Additionally, campaign staffers are not allowed to interact with Walz and Vance during breaks. And candidates are not allowed to have props or pre-written notes on stage. They receive a pen, a notepad and a water bottle.

CBS News will host the only scheduled vice presidential debate between Vance and Walz on Tuesday, October 1 at 9:00 PM ET on CBS and CBS News 24/7. Download the free CBS News app for live reporting, post-debate analysis, in-depth fact checks and more.