Story highlights Candidates need at least 5% in national or early state polls to qualify

The former Maryland governor barely qualifies through Iowa

Los Angeles (CNN) Martin O'Malley is dangerously close to missing the next Democratic presidential debate.

On Friday, NBC News released the criteria for its January 17 debate -- the Democrats' last before the primary voting season kicks off in February -- and the former Maryland governor is hanging on a razor's edge.

To qualify, candidates must reach 5% either nationally or in Iowa, New Hampshire, or South Carolina in the five most recent polls recognized by NBC News and published before January 14, 2016, the network announced.

Based on NBC's list of approved polls, O'Malley is at exactly 5% in Iowa, and below 5% nationally and in the other early states. If his numbers drop in Iowa, and if he fails to lift them elsewhere, he will not qualify for the January 17 debate.

The Democratic hopeful has a slight buffer, however: An NBC executive familiar with the criteria said the network expects all three candidates to qualify and will likely round up from a 4.5% if necessary.

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