CBS VP Debate Rules Feature One Major Change to Previous Presidential Debates

AP Photo/Carlos Osorio (L)/AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson (R)

CBS News released the rules for Tuesday’s vice presidential debate between Sen. JD Vance (R-OH) and Democratic Minnesota Governor Tim Walz.

The two will spar on Tuesday evening in the only VP debate before voters decide to elect Vice President Kamala Harris or give former President Donald Trump another four years in the White House.

Unlike the two presidential debates so far this year, both candidates’ microphones will be “hot” while CBS moderators will reserve the right to cut either one of them off at any point. CBS News also reported:

For each question, the candidate who was asked the question will have two minutes to answer, and the other candidate will be allowed two minutes to respond. Following that, each candidate will have one minute for additional rebuttals. And the moderators may at their discretion give candidates an additional minute each to continue a topic. Lights in front of each candidate will indicate how much time they have left to speak. The candidates will also each have a countdown clock.

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Candidates will not receive any questions in advance, nor will they receive any topics in advance.  Additionally, campaign staffers are not permitted to interact with Walz and Vance during breaks. And candidates are not allowed to have props or pre-written notes on the stage. They will be given a pen, a pad of paper and a water bottle.

Vance and Walz will each deliver a two-minute closing statement to conclude the 90-minute debate, which will feature two four-minute breaks.

The Ohio Republican won a coin toss on Thursday to decide which candidate would have the closing word. Vance opted to speak last.

Trump and Harris are not expected to debate again before Nov. 5. Trump agreed to a Fox News debate, which Harris declined to participate in. Harris later challenged Trump to a CNN debate which he shot down despite praising the network’s handling of his debate against President Joe Biden.

Tuesday night’s debate will begin at 9 p.m. ET and will be moderated by Norah O’Donnell and Margaret Brennan.