The first presidential debate is about a month away, and if the voters have their way, there will be three candidates on stage, not two.
A Quinnipiac University poll released Thursday evening shows that 62% of likely voters are interested in hearing from Libertarian Party candidate Gary Johnson during the debates, and having an option besides Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Hillary Clinton. Among voters who consider themselves independent, the number is 69%.
Johnson needs to reach 15% in at least five national polls before the Committee on Presidential Debates will put a third podium on the stage. Johnson averages between 8% and 11% nationwide, but isn’t always included in Presidential polls. Johnson sued the CPD to be allowed on the debate stage regardless of polling, but the court ruled against him.
The CPD, however, has said that its rules are not air-tight. It can welcome a third-party candidate with “significant” influence on the election through a personal invitation, even if that candidate hasn’t met the polling threshold. The 15% mark is there to weed out candidates who don’t have a chance at being elected, but they recognize that Americans may have other reasons for wanting to hear from a candidate.
CPD is due to decide on whether to include Johnson soon. The first Presidential debate will be September 26th at Hofstra University in New York.
