When are the 2020 presidential debates?

With many of the usual staples of presidential campaign politics – like rallies, town halls, fundraisers and arenas packed with convention delegates – scrapped because of the coronavirus pandemic, this fall's presidential debates likely will take on outsized importance.

The debates – long a public service to provide voters a look at how the candidates match up on the issues and against each other – have also become prime-time media spectacles.

But the debates are rarely without controversy – and this time around is no exception, as President Trump has unsuccessfully sought a fourth debate with Democratic challenger Joe Biden for early September, before many states start sending out absentee ballots to voters.

The nonpartisan Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD) – which has organized and conducted the presidential and vice presidential general election debates for more than three decades – turned down the Trump re-election campaign’s formal request, but did say it would “consider” adding an additional encounter between the president and Biden to the three already scheduled if both candidates agree.