Hot mics and no seats: Here are the rules for the VP debate

WASHINGTON — The microphones of JD Vance and Tim Walz will remain live during Tuesday's vice presidential debate even when it is their opponent's turn to speak, according to debate rules released Friday by CBS News and agreed to by both campaigns.

But CBS News will reserve the right to turn off the candidates' microphones if the moderators find it necessary.

The arrangement marks a departure from the Sept. 10 presidential debate between Democratic nominee Kamala Harris and Republican nominee Donald Trump in which the microphone of the nominee not answering a question was muted throughout.

More: Vice presidential nominees JD Vance, Tim Walz on the road: See 2024 election campaigns

Whether to have hot or muted microphones was a major area of disagreement leading up to the presidential debate, with the Harris campaign pushing unsuccessfully to keep the microphones of both Trump and Harris live. The two sides reached agreement on the issue for the VP debate, however.

Here are other rules and guidelines of the debate, which will take place at the CBS Broadcast Center in New York City. CBS anchor Norah O’Donnell and Face the Nation host Margaret Brennan will moderate the debate.

When does the debate begin?

9 p.m. ET, Tuesday, Oct. 1

How long will the debate last?

90 minutes, with two breaks of minutes apiece

Will there be a live audience?

No, just like the presidential debate there will be no live audience. The VP debate will feature only Vance, Walz and the two moderators. All questions will comes from the moderators, who will introduce Walz first as the vice presidential nominee of the incumbent party.

Will the candidates be seated or standing?

Historically, the two VP nominees are seated for vice presidential debates. But in a shake-up from precedent, Vance and Walz will be standing behind podiums, with the two moderators seated. Walz will be positioned on the right side of the television screen and Vance on the left side.

How long to candidates have to answer questions?

The candidate who is asked a question will receive two minutes to answer – and the other candidate will receive two minutes to respond

Each candidate will then get one minute for further rebuttals.

From there, the moderators have the discretion to extend the discussion by giving candidates an additional minute to talk.

More: What's it like to debate JD Vance? We asked the only Democrat who has

More: What's it like to debate Tim Walz?

Will the candidates be alerted on timing?

Yes. Lights inside the studio will alert candidates on how much time they have left to answer a question.

The lights will remain green until there's 15 second left, turn yellow until five seconds, start flashing red at five seconds, and then change to solid red when the time has elapsed.

Will there be closing statements?

Yes, both candidates will get two minutes to make a closing statement. Vance has elected to give his closing statement second after Walz after winning a coin toss Thursday to decide the order.

Will candidates have questions in advance?

No. Questions will be decided by the moderators, with no topics or questions shared in advance with either campaigns or candidates.

What about notes and props?

The candidates are not allowed to have pre-written notes or props during the debate, but they will be given a pen, pad of paper and a bottle of water.

Staffs of the campaigns are not allowed to interact with the candidates during the two breaks.

Reach Joey Garrison on X, formerly Twitter, @joeygarrison

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Hot mics and no seats: Here are the rules for the VP debate