Updated Jun 13, 2019

15 states, and D.C., want to change how the electoral college works

Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios

Oregon is the latest to join a growing collection of states that have signed legislation to award electoral college votes to the candidate who wins the popular vote, with Gov. Kate Brown signing the bill on Wednesday.

Why it matters: If enough states join the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact, the electoral college delegate procedure (and the 2020 election) would fundamentally change. But the participating states need a combined 270 electoral votes to put the law into effect, and the current list of 15 states — plus Washington, D.C. — only add up to 196 votes. Since Republican-controlled legislatures have yet to support the compact, this change is unlikely to occur.

Go deeper: Where each 2020 Democrat stands on abolishing the electoral college

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Kendall Baker

UFC wants to host fight on tribal land to avoid coronavirus restrictions

Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios

In an attempt to skirt federal and state guidelines during the coronavirus pandemic, the UFC plans to hold its April 18 pay-per-view event on tribal land in California, per multiple reports.

The state of play: Even as the rest of the sports world hits pause, UFC president Dana White has remained adamant that fights must go on, and appears to have settled for a shutdown casino in a state with the fourth-most confirmed cases of coronavirus.

Go deeper7 mins ago - Sports

Mike Allen

Ivanka Trump plans focus on coronavirus recovery for small businesses

Ivanka Trump speaks at yesterday's White House videoconference with bank and credit card executives. Photo: Kevin Lamarque/Reuters

Ivanka Trump personally lobbied top bank executives to line up the $1.5 billion in commitments to small business that were announced yesterday at a videoconference among the bank executives and President Trump — stoking competitive juices among the execs to drive up their commitments.

The state of play: Ivanka, who has had workforce development in her portfolio going back to 2017, plans an increasing emphasis on small businesses in the weeks ahead as they navigate the rescue bill’s Payroll Protection Program, sources tell me.

Go deeper3 hours ago - Politics & Policy

Kim Hart

Public transit's death spiral

Illustration: Eniola Odetunde/Axios

Public transit systems across the country are experiencing a painful trifecta: Ridership has collapsed, funding streams are squeezed, and mass transit won't bounce back from the pandemic nearly as fast as other modes of transportation.

Why it matters: Transit agencies could see an annual shortfall of as much as $38 billion due to the coronavirus pandemic, according to TransitCenter. At the same time, they're more important than ever, with more than 36% of essential workers relying on public transportation to get to work.

Go deeper4 hours ago - Health