CNN will air a live drawing of the candidates participating in the network’s upcoming presidential debates for the Democratic candidates, which will be spread over two nights.
CNN announced Monday that the network will hold a live drawing on July 18, though it did not say how the candidates will be divided. The debates are scheduled for July 30 and 31.
NBC, which hosted the first Democratic debates, also conducted a drawing to determine the lineups, but did so off-camera. This process was not entirely random, as the network tried to ensure that each night would have similar numbers of high-polling and low-polling candidates, and choosing with group would debate first.
Although 21 candidates have met the requirements set for the upcoming debates, getting 1 percent or more in three approved polls or garnering donations from 65,000 different people, just 20 will participate. The chosen candidates will be notified on July 17, the day before the drawing.
CNN’s Dana Bash, Don Lemon and Jake Tapper will moderate the debates, which will take place in Detroit, Michigan, and air live on CNN and CNN en Español, and will be simulcast on CNN International.
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