CNN and ABC News laid out five criteria for qualifying for their debates. The candidates must:
Be constitutionally eligible to serve as president
File a statement of candidacy with the Federal Election Commission
Have their name appear on enough state ballots to reach the threshold of 270 electoral votes needed to win the presidency
Agree to the debate's rules and format
Receive at least 15% in four separate national polls of registered or likely voters that meet CNN or ABC News standards.
Mr. Biden and Trump are the only two candidates seeking the presidency who qualify under those terms so far. It's unlikely that Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., who is running as an independent, will be on the stage because of the polling requirement and number of states where he has secured access to the ballot.