ABC News Presidential Debate Scheduled at National Constitution Center, Philly

The upcoming presidential debate organized by ABC News will take place at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia. The network confirmed the event’s details on Friday.

Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump have both agreed to participate in the debate.

Scheduled for September 10, the debate will be moderated by David Muir, the anchor and managing editor of “World News Tonight,” along with Linsey Davis, the anchor of ABC News Live “Prime.”

This debate is a collaboration with ABC station WPVI-TV/6abc and will be broadcast live at 9 p.m. ET across several platforms, including the ABC network, ABC News Live 24/7 streaming service, Disney+, and Hulu.

In addition to the debate, ABC News will air a special pre-debate program titled “Race for the White House” starting at 8 p.m. ET. This segment will be hosted by Martha Raddatz, who is the chief global affairs correspondent and co-anchor of “This Week,” along with Jonathan Karl, Mary Bruce, and Rachel Scott, all prominent correspondents at ABC News.

As previously outlined by ABC News, candidates must meet specific eligibility criteria to participate in the debate. This includes achieving certain polling percentages and being listed on a sufficient number of state ballots that would allow them the potential to secure a majority of 270 electoral votes in the presidential election.

The National Constitution Center is an ideal setting for such a significant political event. Located next to Philadelphia’s Independence Hall, the center showcases exhibits and events that focus on the U.S. Constitution and civic engagement. Independence Hall itself is historically notable as the signing place of both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.

Notably, ABC News previously hosted town hall meetings at the National Constitution Center with President Joe Biden, then a candidate, and former President Donald Trump when he was the sitting president in 2020.

As the presidential race intensifies, this debate will serve as a crucial platform for the candidates to present their views, policies, and visions for the future. It will also provide voters with an opportunity to hear directly from the candidates about their plans and priorities.

As the election draws nearer, the significance of such debates only grows, highlighting the engagement of the electorate in the democratic process. This event promises to be a pivotal moment in the lead-up to the election.