The 90 minute debate begins at 9 pm Eastern and will have two four-minute commercial breaks. Via CBS News: There will be no audience — a measure also implemented during the two previous presidential debates. There will be no opening statements. Unlike the presidential debates, a candidate's microphone will not be muted when their opponent is speaking, but CBS News reserves the right to turn off the microphones. Vance won a virtual coin toss on Thursday, opting to go second with his closing statement.