(CNN) The Republican National Committee announced Friday plans to sanction nine GOP primary debates, with the possibility of adding three more if necessary, the latest effort by party leaders to gain more control over how their 2016 presidential nominee is chosen.

CNN will host up to three of these events with the first one taking place Sept. 16 in California at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library. The other two CNN-hosted debates will take place in Las Vegas in December, and a yet-to-be-decided state in March, if necessary.

"By constructing and instituting a sound debate process, it will allow candidates to bring their ideas and vision to Americans in a timely and efficient way," Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus said in a statement announcing the debate schedule.

This marks a significantly slimmer schedule than in 2012. GOP officials were hoping to avoid the nightmare scenario that played out during the 2012 Republican primary fight, when nearly 20 debates left the candidates exhausted, and Republican elders cleaning up messes from the vicious intra-party squabbling on stage.

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