The first 2012 presidential debate starts tonight at 9:00 p.m. ET. Here’s how you can tune in, and play a big role:

1. Starting at 8:30 p.m. ET, you can follow the live blog here while watching live coverage of the debate. Then make sure to stick around after the program to hear a special campaign message from Vice President Joe Biden.

2. Help get the word out to your friends and family, during and after the debate. If you’re on Twitter, make sure to use the hashtag #ForwardNotBack, and follow these accounts:

• Follow @Obama2012, where you can retweet President Obama’s best lines of the night

• Follow @Students4Obama, where actor Kal Penn will live-tweet the debate

• Follow @TruthTeam2012, where you can retweet real-time fact checks

Thanks for being a part of this important moment.