Jun 13, 2019

Oregon's governor signs national popular vote bill

Oregon Gov. Kate Brown. Photo: Shannon Finney/Getty Images

Oregon will now award its electoral college votes to the candidate who wins the national popular vote after Gov. Kate Brown signed legislation on Wednesday, reports The Oregonian.

The big picture: Oregon has become the 15th state to enact new legislation awarding their electoral votes to the winner of the national popular vote. The District of Columbia has also passed the resolution. Barry Fadem, the president of the nonprofit National Popular Vote, lobbied for the move, telling The Oregonian his organization hopes to have all states pass resolutions by 2024.

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

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Jim VandeHei

The next American struggle: Waiting out the coronavirus

Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios

There are now a lot of known knowns about the coronavirus: It's here, it's spreading, it's stressing hospitals, it's crippling the economy, it's slowed only by distance and isolation — and it's sure to get much worse before it gets much better.

Why it matters: Similarly, there is a sameness to the pattern of known unknowns about the virus. So now we hit the maddening stage of waiting.

Go deeper3 mins ago - Health

Sara Fischer, Kim Hart

Coronavirus pushes traditional businesses into the digital age

Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios

A slew of old-line industries that once hesitated to embrace digital technologies are now being forced to do so for the sake of survival.

Why it matters: Once consumers get used to accessing services digitally — from older restaurants finally embracing online ordering, or newspapers finally going all-digital — these industries may find it hard to go back to traditional operations.

Go deeper33 mins ago - Economy & Business

Caitlin Owens

America's grimmest month

Trump gives his Sunday press briefing in the Rose Garden. Photo: Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images

President Trump asked Americans to continue social distancing until April 30, officials warned that tens or even hundreds of thousands of Americans could die — and that's the least depressing scenario.

Why it matters: April is going to be very hard. But public health officials are in agreement that hunkering down — in our own homes — and weathering one of the darkest months in American history is the only way to prevent millions of American deaths.

Go deeper1 hour ago - Health