diff --git a/doc/source/_themes/releases/schedule_table.tmpl b/doc/source/_themes/releases/schedule_table.tmpl
index e57c283c97..195f7058b6 100644
--- a/doc/source/_themes/releases/schedule_table.tmpl
+++ b/doc/source/_themes/releases/schedule_table.tmpl
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@
 .. list-table::
    :header-rows: 1
    :widths: 15 5 30 30
+   :class: schedule
 
    - * Week
      * 
diff --git a/doc/source/_themes/releases/static/css/styles.css b/doc/source/_themes/releases/static/css/styles.css
index 6f264dd4de..2324bb043c 100644
--- a/doc/source/_themes/releases/static/css/styles.css
+++ b/doc/source/_themes/releases/static/css/styles.css
@@ -44,6 +44,13 @@ ol.loweralpha {
     font-weight: 400;
 }
 
+/* ensure the entries in the schedule table align so it is easy to
+   read when multiple deadlines fall on the same week (see
+   schedule_table.tmpl) */
+table.schedule td {
+    vertical-align: top
+}
+
 /* lists within tables don't need as much margin */
 td ul {
 	margin-bottom: 0;