1980 United States presidential debates

1980 United States presidential debates

← 1976 September 21, 1980 October 28 1984 →

Nominee Jimmy Carter (October 28) Ronald Reagan John B. Anderson (September 21) Party Democratic Republican Independent Home state Georgia California Illinois

1980 United States vice presidential debate

October 2, 1980 (canceled)

Nominee Walter Mondale George H. W. Bush Patrick Lucey Party Democratic Republican Independent Home state Minnesota Texas Wisconsin

The 1980 United States presidential debates were a series of debates held for that year's presidential election. The League of Women Voters organized two presidential debates: the first on September 21, and the second on October 28. The second presidential debate is the second most-watched debate in American history.

The Republican nominee Ronald Reagan participated in both debates. Independent candidate John B. Anderson only participated in the first debate, while the Democratic nominee and incumbent president Jimmy Carter participated in the second debate.

No vice presidential debate was held this year. Anderson's running mate Patrick Lucey was the only one who agreed to participate, while Reagan's running mate George H. W. Bush and Carter's running mate Walter Mondale both refused.