The qualifying marks are getting more difficult in the fourth Republican presidential debate next month in Alabama

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — A fourth Republican presidential debate is scheduled for next month, with increased ballot requirements that could make the stage less crowded than before.

In a memo sent to campaigns on Friday and obtained by The Associated Press, Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel said the fourth debate will be held on December 6 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

To reach the stage, candidates must receive at least 6% in two certified national polls, or 6% in one poll from two separate early voting states: Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina.

According to the memo, first reported by The New York Times, participants also need to muster at least 80,000 unique donors, with at least 200 unique donors per state or territory, in 20 or more states.

Candidates have up to 48 hours before the debate to fulfill the requirements.

The Republican National Committee has increased the necessary scores with each debate, an effort aimed at winnowing the once sprawling field. Meeting certain qualifications was difficult for some candidates, including the former Arkansas governor. asa Hutchinson, Who participated in the first debate but did not meet the subsequent qualifications. Former Vice President mike pence, On stage in the first two debates, He suspended his election campaign last week After it seemed likely that he would not qualify for third.

The third Republican debate, which will take place on Wednesday in Miami, requires campaigns to achieve 4% in the polls and obtain 70,000 unique donors.

Although the party will not confirm until Monday who will take the stage for the third event, the Florida governor is expected to do so. ron desantis, Former Governor of South Carolina. nikki haley, Biotechnology entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, Sin. Tim Scott South Carolina and former New Jersey Governor. Chris Christie We will participate or I will participate.

As he did in the first two debates, former President Donald Trump — the current GOP front-runner — is skipping next week’s caucus instead Counter programming With a rally in Hialeah, Florida, about a half-hour drive from the debate site. The Trump campaign had called for the primary debates to be cancelled. saying last month That the Republican National Committee should instead “refocus its manpower” on defeating Democrats Joe Biden Next year.

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This story has been corrected to reflect that participation in the fourth debate requires at least 80,000 unique donors, not 800,000.

Meg Kinnard can be reached at http://twitter.com/MegKinnardAP.