The Democratic Party will impose stricter requirements to qualify for its third presidential primary debate scheduled for September, The New York Times is reporting.
In order to participate, candidates will be required to attract donations from 130,000 individuals from at least 20 states and register at least 2% in four approved polls. The tougher rules were announced by the Democratic National Committee on Wednesday.
The Times noted the qualifying requirements for the party’s first two debates are relatively easy for candidates to meet – collect from 65,000 donors or register at least 1% in three polls. Nineteen candidates already have qualified to be in the first debate next month.
The first debate is set for downtown Miami’s Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts on June 26 and 27.
The second debate will be held in July.
The third debate will be broadcast by ABC News, in partnership with Univision on Sept. 12 and 13. It will be limited to 20 candidates. But it is unlikely that many will qualify. Right now, only eight candidates regularly reach 2% in the polls, the Times said.
The tougher rules are expected to spark criticism from those Democrats fighting to gain support in the crowded field of candidates, the newspaper said.