CNN will host the first presidential debate for the 2024 election on Thursday, June 27, as President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump are set to face-off at 8 p.m.

The debate, which will take place in CNN’s studios in Atlanta, Georgia, will be broadcast live on other networks such as CBS and FOX News as well.

Typically, the first presidential debates are later in the campaign season, in September, after party primaries are held, but Biden and Trump are the two presumptive party favorites according to CNN polling and analytics.

First debates are also typically the most watched of the debates in the campaign season.

According to Nielsen Media Research, the first 2020 presidential debate drew 73.1 million viewers and the first 2016 presidential debate was the most watched in history at 84 million viewers.

As the first 2024 presidential debate nears, The News Courier asked residents of Athens about their thoughts on watching the impending showdown — and the looming national election in November.

“I’m probably not going to watch it,” Michael Cody, 58-year-old Athens resident, said. “Debates are really useless; you already know what you are going to do and who you are going to vote for anyways.”

Although he did not show any interest toward the upcoming debate, Cody still recognized the importance of voting and who he will be exercising his right to vote on.

“Probably the most important thing you can do as a citizen of the United States is vote,” Cody said. ““I’m voting for Trump; there’s no other option.”

Cody’s political opinion was similar to that of Anne Hamner, a senior Athens resident, who also explained who she was voting for in November.

“I’m voting for Trump of course,” Hamner said. “We should all vote, that is part of our constitutional right, so everybody needs to vote and express their thoughts and opinions. Then be nice if you don’t win.”

Paul Then, who moved to Athens in 2005 after being displaced by Hurricane Katrina, gave a different point of view when asked about his thoughts on the national election.

“Definitely always been a Biden supporter,” Then said. “Never really voted for Trump, even in 2016, so not really planning on falling into that pitfall again.”

While Then was adamant in showing his support for who he was going to vote for, others in Athens still may not be sure who they are going to pick.

“I’m not a fan of either one of them,” Sarah Carr, Athens resident, said. “I’m not voting for some one, but I definitely know who I’m not voting for.”