2024 Texas Elections

Biden, Trump sidestep traditional presidential debate schedule that included Texas State University

Texas State was slated to be the first Texas university to host a presidential debate, with an event scheduled Sept. 16.

By Matthew Choi

May 15, 202412 PM Central

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WASHINGTON — Texas State University was set to be the first university in Texas to host a presidential debate, but on Wednesday the two candidates for president announced they’re going rogue.

The campaigns of President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump are remixing their plans for this year’s debate schedule, announcing two new debate dates hosted by CNN and ABC News. They are slated to take place on June 27 and Sept. 10.

Those debates appear to be in lieu of three previously scheduled fall debates — one of which is slated for Texas State — arranged by the Commission on Presidential Debates, which usually organizes debates after the primaries. Biden's campaign said in a letter to the Commission that he plans not to partake in its debates.

The new Sept. 10 debate announced by the campaigns on Wednesday is scheduled less than a week before the previously scheduled Sept. 16 debate at Texas State. It’s unclear whether Texas State will still have a chance to host. The June debate, hosted by CNN, will be in Georgia.

“We are aware of the latest developments surrounding the presidential debates. We are working closely with the Commission on Presidential Debates as we assess the situation,” the university said in a statement Wednesday.

ABC News did not say if the network would consider hosting the debate at Texas State.

Texas State was expecting to spend about $5 million to host its debate. The university had appointed Jack Martin, a former chair of the Texas State University System’s Board of Regents, to head the fundraising for the debate.

While news organizations often host primary debates, the nonpartisan Commission on Presidential Debates was established in 1987 to provide a neutral forum for candidates ahead the general election. The commission said in a statement Wednesday that it had selected its dates and locations to “reach the widest television, radio and streaming audience.”

“The American public deserves substantive debates from the leading candidates for president and vice president,” the statement read. “Our 2024 sites, all locations of higher learning, are prepared to host debates on dates chosen to accommodate early voters. We will continue to be ready to execute this plan.”

The Trump and Biden campaigns had coordinated to arrange additional debate dates that would not involve the Commission, The Washington Post reported.

The two publicly agreed to the June and September dates, though Trump challenged Biden to have additional debates earlier in the cycle — in June, July, August and September — to “have maximum exposure to the records and future visions of each candidate,” according to a memo released by the Trump campaign.

In its letter to the commission, the Biden campaign said the commission's debate format was no longer up to date with current voting trends, taking place after early voting began in many states. It also said the commission failed to enforce its own rules in the 2020 debates.

Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, questioned the decision to "basically sink the Commission’s proposal."

"The Commission had already agreed to one presidential debate. It’s at Texas State University in San Marcos, so I hope that hasn’t gone by the wayside because I think that was a big coup for Chancellor [Brian] McCall and a chance for a lot of those students to be able to see a presidential debate in person,” Cornyn told reporters Wednesday.

Voting FAQ: 2024 Elections

When is the next election? What dates do I need to know?

Election Day for the general election is November 5, and early voting will run from Oct. 21 to Nov. 1. The deadline to register to vote and/or change your voter registration address is Oct. 7. Applications to vote by mail must be received by your county of residence – not postmarked – by Oct. 25.
What’s on the ballot for the general election?

In addition to the president, eligible Texans have the opportunity to cast their ballots for many Texas officials running for office at the federal, state and local levels.
This includes representatives in the U.S. and Texas houses and the following elected offices: -1 U.S Senator (Ted Cruz) - 1 of 3 Railroad Commissioners - 15 State Senators - 7 State Board of Education members - 3 members of the Texas Supreme Court - 3 members of the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals - 5 Chief Justices and various justices for Texas Courts of Appeals
- Lower-level judges and local county offices will also appear on the ballot: - Various district judges, including on criminal and family courts - County Courts at Law - Justices of the Peace - District Attorneys - County Attorneys - Sheriffs - Constables - Tax Assessor-Collectors
How do I make sure I’m registered to vote?

You can check to see if you’re registered and verify your information through the Texas Secretary of State’s website. You’ll need one of the following three combinations to log in: Your Texas driver’s license number and date of birth. Your first and last names, date of birth and county you reside in. Your date of birth and Voter Unique Identifier, which appears on your voter registration certificate.
How do I register to vote if I haven’t?

You can request a postage-paid application through the mail or find one at county voter registrars’ offices and some post offices, government offices, or high schools. You can also print out the online application and mail it to the voter registrar in your county.
Applications must be postmarked by the Oct. 7 deadline. Download your application here.
Additionally, you can register to vote through the Texas Department of Public Safety while renewing your driver’s license. You may be able to register to vote online if you’re also allowed to renew your license online. This is the only form of online registration in the state.
After you register to vote, you will receive a voter registration certificate within 30 days. It’ll contain your voter information, including the Voter Unique Identifier number needed to update your voter registration online. If the certificate has incorrect information, you’ll need to note corrections and send it to your local voter registrar as soon as possible.
The voter registration certificate can also be used as a secondary form of ID when you vote if you don’t have one of the seven state-approved photo IDs
What can I do if I have questions about voting?

You can contact your county elections official or call the Texas Secretary of State's helpline at 1-800-252-VOTE (8683). A coalition of voting rights groups is also helping voters navigate election concerns through the 866-OUR-VOTE (687-8683) voter-protection helpline. The coalition has hotlines available in other languages. Disability Rights Texas also assists voters with disabilities.
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Voting FAQ: 2024 Elections

When is the next election? What dates do I need to know?

What’s on the ballot for the general election?

How do I make sure I’m registered to vote?

How do I register to vote if I haven’t?

What can I do if I have questions about voting?

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Matthew Choi

Washington Correspondent

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