At 8 p.m. Oct. 3, President Barack Obama and Mitt Romney will square off at the University of Denver in the first presidential debate of the season.

Domestic policy is the topic of the evening. Moderator Jim Lehrer, executive director of PBS News Hour, will oversee six 15-minutes segments—the first three segments focusing on the economy and the last three focusing on health care, the role of government and governing.

Here are some ways you can catch the action.

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Attend a debate-watching party

Viewing parties are taking place across the Twin Cities—both private parties at homes and public ones at local establishments. Here are options for both sides of the political aisle. Do you know of other options? Share them in the comments below.

• Democrats: Organizing for America—Minnesota is hosting several debate-watching parties. The northern suburbs debate-viewing party is very near Fridley at Spring Lake Park High School, starting at 6:30 p.m. You can search the Organizing for America website for debate-watching parties near you. UPDATE: There is also a Senate District 41 DFL fundraiser/viewing party from 7–10 p.m. at Broadway Pizza in Fridley (see PDF).
• Republicans: In the Twin Cities, AM 1130 talk show hosts Bob Davis and Tom Emmer, a former Republican gubernatorial candidate, are hosting a debate-viewing party at Poor Richard’s Commonhouse (8301 Normandale Boulevard, Bloomington). There will prizes given away, including a pair of tickets to see the The Who at the Target Center on November 27. The party runs from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Watch on your television

The debate is airing live on numerous channels starting at 8 p.m. Some channels have preview programs, and some have post-debate analysis. Below is a list of local offerings. All channels are Comcast standard cable.

• TpT2 (channel 2): Debate coverage 8 p.m. through 10 p.m.
• CNN (channel 3): Preview coverage starts at 6 p.m. Analysis is scheduled for after the debate, with a repeat of the debate at 11 p.m.
• WCCO (channel 4): Debate coverage 8 p.m. through 10 p.m.
• KSTP (channel 5): Debate coverage 8 p.m. through 10 p.m.
• KMSP (channel 9): Debate coverage 8 p.m. through 9:30 p.m.
• KARE (channel 11): Debate coverage 8 p.m. through 10 p.m.
• CSPAN (channel 21): Preview coverage runs 6 p.m. through 7:30 p.m. Debate coverage resumes at 8 p.m. and continues through 10:30 p.m.
• CNBC (channel 60): Preview coverage starts at 7 p.m. Debate coverage is scheduled through 10 p.m.
• MSNBC (channel 62): Debate preview starts at 7 p.m. Coverage continues until midnight, when the network will air the debate again.
• Fox News (channel 63): Debate coverage 8 p.m. through 10 p.m.

Stream the debate online

Internet users have several options to watch the online. Here are a few possibilities:

• 2012 Election Central
• PolicyMic
• YouTube

Participate on your video game console

Those with an Xbox can join in via Xbox Live. The online service will have real-time polling and users will be able to submit poll questions via Twitter using #XboxPoll. Just select “Participate in the Debate” from the Xbox home menu. Microsoft plans to air all four debates. Users who watch three of the four debates through Xbox Live will get Halo 4 Warrior Armor for their avatars.

Share your thoughts on Patch’s live blog

Patch will be hosting a live blog for the debate starting at 7:30 p.m. Jump on and share your impressions of the candidates throughout the debate—or post photos of your debate party.

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