Tuesday’s debate between Republican nominee Donald Trump and Democratic nominee Kamala Harris won’t just be the first time the candidates meet in person. It’ll also be a big deal for the city. Here’s how to watch the 2024 presidential debate in Philadelphia — and how to vote and stay engaged post debate.
First, a plug: To watch the debate with other civic-minded Philadelphians, join the Committee of Seventy, in partnership with The Philadelphia Citizen, the League of Women Voters of Philadelphia and more, on Tuesday, September 10 from 8 to 10:30pm at the City Tap House on N. 18th Street. RSVP here.
If you’re watching at home, turn the dial to 6ABC, or go to ABC News Live (online, and via the ABC app, YouTube, and most streaming platforms).
Navigate our guide to the debate:
- What time?
- Where is it?
- Can I go?
- What are the rules?
- Who’s fact-checking?
- Is this historic?
- What’s closed, where, and when?
- Will there be protests?
- What are the issues?
- What happens next?
Time:
Tuesday, September 10 from 9 to 10:30pm — 90 minutes, with two commercial breaks.
Location:
National Constitution Center, 525 Arch Street on the north end of Independence Mall, within view of Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell Center.
The location’s significance: Experts have repeatedly said our country’s representative democracy, as laid out in the U.S. Constitution, is at stake in the November 5, 2024 election.
Previous presidential milestones that have taken place at this 24-year-old building: A 2008 primary debate between Barack Obama and Hillary Cliinton, Barack Obama’s seminal “A More Perfect Union” speech on race in March 2020, ABC town halls for Joe Biden and Donald Trump in 2020.
Attendance policy:
Sorry: No in-person audience members allowed.
Presidential debate rules:
The candidates have 90 minutes, with 2-minute opening and closing statements and 2-minute responses and rebuttals to questions, and 1 minute follow-ups.
After much back-and-forth, the debate will have the same microphone rules as the Biden-Trump debate in June. Candidates’ microphones are live only during the candidate’s turn to speak; the other candidate’s mic stays muted during the other candidate’s turn.
Trump won a coin toss and chose to have the final word — the last closing statement.
Candidates may not consult with staff during breaks. Onstage, they are permitted a pen, paper and one bottle of water.
Fact-check the debate in real time:
- FactCheck.org on X and Threads, a nonpartisan, nonprofit “consumer advocate” project of the Annenberg Public Policy Center of the University of Pennsylvania that endeavors to reduce deception and confusion in U.S. politics.
- 538, ABC News’ data- and evidence-driven fact-checking organization.
- PolitiFact on X, a not-for-profit national news organization owned by the Poynter Institute for Media Studies, a non-profit journalism school and research organization in St. Petersburg, FL that also owns the Tampa Bay Times newspaper and the International Fact-Checking Network.
Historical Philadelphia context:
The last time Philadelphia hosted a two-party presidential debate was … 48 years ago. In 1976, candidates Gerald Ford and Jimmy Carter squared off at the historic Walnut Street Theatre — and endured a notorious equipment fail that stopped TV coverage for 28 minutes. Here’s hoping we redeem ourselves this time.
Big reason it’s happening in Philadelphia: Pennsylvania is a key swing state in the 2024 election, tied with Illinois for the fifth-most Electoral College votes — 19.
Road, sidewalk and airspace closures:
The City of Philadelphia has announced restrictions to car and pedestrian traffic around the NCC, beginning early Tuesday morning. Obviously, these closures and planned protests will delay traffic, including public transit on nearby streets. Check SEPTA’s alert and advisory page for updates.
Anyone who works inside the closed zone must access their buildings on Tuesday and possibly early Wednesday morning through an entry point at 7th and Arch streets, near the African American Museum in Philadelphia.
Closed:
- Arch and Market streets, from 4th Street to 7th Street until sometime Wednesday.
- 100 blocks of North 5th, 6th and 7th Street to close until sometime Wednesday.
- The 6th Street exit of I-676 eastbound until sometime Wednesday.
- Eastbound lanes for the Ben Franklin Bridge (I-676 into Camden, NJ) close after rush hour Tuesday.
- The Independence Visitor Center, its restrooms — and its parking garage beneath it — from Monday night through Tuesday. Only public facilities available Tuesday will be portapotties along 5th Street south of Market Street.
FAA regulations prohibit sUAS (small unmanned aircraft systems) and drone usage above crowds.
Protests in Philadelphia during the presidential debate:
- Expect gatherings of people wanting to bring attention to causes they care about on the southwest corner of 5th and Market streets. This granite plaza, officially “The People’s Plaza,” was created specifically for protesting and public assembly, as guaranteed by the First Amendment.
- The Pro-Life Coalition, an anti-abortion group, has said they’ll be on Independence Mall between 5 and 6pm.
- The Philly Palestine Coalition has planned a rally starting at City Hall at 6:30pm — and potentially marching to the National Constitution Center.
- PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) plans be outside the shuttered Independence Visitor Center with its mouse to protest animal testing at the NIH at 7pm.
- Some Mummers plan to travel from bars in South Philly to greet Trump’s motorcade wearing Mummers and MAGA regalia. There, they hope to meet up with Republican U.S. Representatives Wesley Hunt (TX) and Byron Donalds (FLA), who are on the Black Conservative Federation bus tour.
- Also there: A 20-foot inflatable IUD furnished by Americans for Contraception, a reproductive rights advocacy group.
Listen for:
Actual solutions to issues facing cities like Philadelphia.
- Will Harris expound on her $25,000 down-payment housing plan?
- Will Trump talk about how our city — and Commonwealth — run elections?
- Will Harris pull on her background as a prosecutor to address issues of crime and criminal justice in cities?
- Will Trump repeat his arguments about immigration, including those that pitted his first administration against cities, including Philadelphia?
Questions Michael Nutter wishes moderators Linsey David and David Muir would ask.
After the presidential debate:
Watch future match-ups in national races:
- Harris and Trump may debate again on September 25 on NBC. Or, they may not.
- Vice presidential candidates J.D. Vance and Tim Waltz debate on October 1 on CBS.
- Pennsylvania candidates for U.S. Senate Bob Casey (incumbent) and David McCormick have agreed to one debate so far: October 3, Harrisburg, on ABC.
Come to our Civic Engagement Fair on September 17
At this free public event, Michael Eric Dyson and Marc Favreau launch their new book, Represent: The Unfinished Fight for the Vote, the dramatic story of voting rights in the U.S. Teens and young adults are welcome. The event features get-out-the-vote and other civic organizations, as well as a presentation by students from Penn’s Political Empathy Lab. Complimentary drinks are included. Registration is required. You can pre-order the book for $20 when you register and pick up your copy at check-in.
Vote!
Follow our guide to how to register, with essential dates on the November 5 election.
Know your candidates: A list of all candidates running for office (whom a Philadelphian can vote for) in 2024.
Start a voter registration drive. Here’s how.
MORE ON THE 2024 ELECTION