What time is the 2024 presidential debate? How to watch CNN-hosted event with Joe Biden and Donald Trump

Samantha Neely, USA TODAY NETWORK - Florida
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President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump will go head to head tonight for the first presidential debate of the 2024 cycle.

Hosted by CNN, the debate will be 90 minutes and introduce some new rules to the format. Both candidates have accepted the network’s invitation and agreed to accept the rules and format of the debate, according to CNN.

Wondering what time to tune in? Here's when to fire up your televisions, as well as other key information about the debate and elections.

When is time is the presidential debate between Donald Trump and Joe Biden?

Signs promoting the debate between U.S. President Joe Biden and his rival Donald Trump are erected around the venue at CNN Center in Atlanta, Georgia on June 24, 2024.
Signs promoting the debate between U.S. President Joe Biden and his rival Donald Trump are erected around the venue at CNN Center in Atlanta, Georgia on June 24, 2024.

The first presidential debate will take place at 9 p.m. ET/ 8 p.m. CT at CNN's studios in Georgia.

Where can I watch the first presidential debate between Biden and Trump?

If you have cable, you can watch the live debate on CNN, CNN International, CNN en Español and CNN Max.

Fox News announced previously it would present “extensive live coverage” of the CNN presidential debate across all its platforms, including the “FOX News Democracy 2024: CNN Presidential Debate” from 9 p.m. through 11 p.m. EST.

ABC News also said it would be showing “‘Battle for the White House’ and ABC News’ Presentation of the CNN Presidential Debate” on ABC New Live.

How to watch the presidential debate without cable?

For those without a cable subscription, the debate will be streaming on CNN.com. ABC said it will be streaming it on Hulu on Thursday from 7 p.m. to midnight.

A live stream of the ‘CNN Presidential Debate’ will be also available on USA TODAY via YouTube.

Who are the moderators for the first presidential debate between Trump and Biden?

CNN news anchor Jake Tapper watches as co-anchor Dana Bash adjusts her ear piece before the start of the 11th Democratic Party 2020 presidential debate with former Vice-President Joe Biden and Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders in a CNN Washington Bureau studio in Washington, DC on March 15, 2020.
CNN news anchor Jake Tapper watches as co-anchor Dana Bash adjusts her ear piece before the start of the 11th Democratic Party 2020 presidential debate with former Vice-President Joe Biden and Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders in a CNN Washington Bureau studio in Washington, DC on March 15, 2020.

CNN’s Jake Tapper and Dana Bash will moderate the first presidential debate for 2024, according to CNN's pressroom.

Are there any rules to CNN's presidential debate?

According to the network, the new rules for the 90-minute debate will include no studio audience, no interaction from campaign staff, no use of notes and no interrupting.

Microphones will also be muted except for that candidate's allotted time to speak. The moderators “will use all tools at their disposal to enforce timing and ensure a civilized discussion,” according to the network.

In a first, both campaigns have agreed to the new rules.

Who's running for president 2024?

President Joe Biden (left) is running for reelection against former president Donald Trump and independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
President Joe Biden (left) is running for reelection against former president Donald Trump and independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Along with Biden and Trump, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is running as an Independent and Chase Oliver is running under the Libertarian Party.

Kennedy and Oliver will not be participating in the debate.

When is the next presidential debate?

The second debate is scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 10 and will be hosted by ABC. As of June 2024, the details about the location and moderators for the ABC-hosted debate have yet to be announced.

When will official candidates be announced for 2024 presidential race?

While Trump and Biden are the presumptive Republican and Democratic nominees for president, the official nomination isn't expected to come until each party's conventions this summer.

According to the Tennessean, the Democrats will make an official presidential nomination either at a virtual roll call ahead of the Democratic National Convention or at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago in August. Republicans will make an official presidential nomination at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in July.

When are Florida's 2024 Primary Elections?

Florida's Primary Elections are on August 20. There are several key dates to know, and they're coming up fast.

  • July 6: This is the deadline for stateside and overseas military, and out-of-country civilians, to request a vote-by-mail ballot.

  • July 11-18: Deadline for county clerks to mail out domestic ballots.

  • July 22: This is the last day to register to vote, or for voters to change their party before voting in the primary election. You must choose a party to be permitted to vote in that party's primary election.

  • Aug. 8: Final deadline for vote-by-mail requests.

  • Aug. 10-17: Early voting opens statewide. Optional earlier dates may be offered on a county-by-county basis.

  • Aug. 20: Primary Election Day. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. in whatever time zone you live in. Any voters still in line at 7 p.m. will be permitted to cast a ballot however long it takes.

When is the General Election in November?

The General Election is on Tuesday, Nov. 5.

Contributing: Kinsey Crowley and Gabe Hauari, USA TODAY and C. A. Bridges, USA TODAY Network-Florida

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Presidential debate time tonight, streaming and election info