Politics
Politics

The rules for tonight’s debate

By
June 27, 2024

President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump have agreed to a number of rules for tonight’s debate designed to keep the discussion civil and moving.

Among them:

  • Microphones will be cut while a candidate isn’t speaking to prevent Biden and Trump from talking over each other
  • Time limits for answers
  • The candidates cannot bring in props or notes, though they will be provided pen and paper
  • Trump and Biden will be barred from interacting with their campaign staffs during the two commercial breaks

This was originally published on our Live Updates page.

About the Author

Tamar Hallerman is an award-winning senior reporter for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. She covers the Fulton County election interference case and co-hosts the Breakdown podcast.

Follow Tamar Hallerman on twitter
More Stories

Keep Reading

FILE - The Supreme Court is seen on Capitol Hill in Washington on Jan. 6, 2025. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)

Credit: AP

Supreme Court questions limits on political party spending in federal elections, hearing GOP appeal

Conservative Supreme Court justices appeared to back a Republican-led drive, supported by President Donald Trump’s administration, to overturn a quarter-century-old decision a

Melania Trump lights the National Christmas Tree after president counts down

First lady Melania Trump has lit the National Christmas Tree on a chilly night in the nation’s capital

The Latest

(From left) State Election Board member Rick Jeffares, executive director James Mills, vice chair Janice Johnston and member Janelle King listen during an election board meeting at the Capitol in Atlanta on Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025. The board voted down a proposal to eliminate Georgia’s touchscreen voting system and switch to hand-marked paper ballots. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

Credit: arvin.temkar@ajc.com

Georgia State Election Board rule on paper ballots fails in tie vote

35m ago

Retired lawmaker, dentist face off in Georgia Senate special election runoff

OPINION

AI is coming for your kids and votes. Georgia should act now.

Featured

Democrat Eric Gisler celebrated his Tuesday election victory at the Trappeze Pub in Athens, Ga. (AP)

Credit: AP

POLITICALLY GEORGIA

How Georgia Democrats pulled off a special election stunner

Democrat Eric Gisler won in a district designed to favor Republicans. Now, GOP leaders are sounding the alarm ahead of the 2026 midterms.

Developer scales back UGA President’s House hotel plan after opposition

A developer has scaled back his proposed hotel on the site of the University of Georgia's historic 'President's House' after Athens residents opposed construction.

Newton man’s pacemaker helped solve his murder. His killer gets life in prison.

Melvin Cooksey’s pacemaker led authorities to his remains and ultimately his killer, caregiver Danetta Knoblauch. She faces sentencing after her murder conviction.

1h ago