Wisconsin

This week marked the second and final debate between Joe Biden and President Donald Trump. What has felt like a never-ending election cycle is taking place against the backdrop of a pandemic, an economic crisis, and a groundswell for racial justice and police reform. With less than two weeks until Election Day, Joel Payne, Democratic strategist and Host of Here Comes the Payne, and Patrick Ruffini, Republican Party pollster and political strategist, reflect on the rest of the race. 

It’s been six months since the $2 trillion CARES Act was signed into law. The bill provided much-needed aid to states, businesses, and individuals who were deprived of traditional means of income as a result of the pandemic. The relief the CARES Act provided has since dried up and millions have fallen into poverty as a result. Emily Cochrane, a congressional reporter at The New York Times, shares the latest from the ongoing stimulus talks between Speaker Pelosi and Secretary Mnuchin and what could happen if a deal doesn’t come together before Election Day.

Turnout is up in Wisconsin where voters will play a pivotal role in deciding who will become the next president of the United States. As some Wisconsin neighborhoods have already surpassed turnout levels from 2016, Congresswoman Gwen Moore of Wisconsin shares how the level of enthusiasm compares to four years ago. Plus, Craig Gilbert of The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel describes trends in early voting and what’s happened to pockets of support for President Trump since 2016.

This election cycle special attention is being paid to growing voting blocs that have the power to move the needle towards or away from a second term for Donald Trump. Since 2016, millions of Latino voters have become eligible to vote, making young Latino voters a powerful political force. Takeaway host Tanzina Vega joins Amy to discuss what A Votar series and what she’s observed from the conversations she’s had with this group ahead of Election Day.

The coronavirus pandemic has taken a serious toll on not only our health, but on the economic well-being of cities and states across the country. As leaders grapple with how best protect the health of their constituents in addition to mitigating the economic fall out caused by stay-at-home orders, preparation for future elections is in front of mind. Recently, California became the first state to modify its plans for the general election after Governor Gavin Newsom issued an executive order that said the state’s 20 million-plus registered voters would receive ballots in the mail. California Secretary of State Alex Padilla explains the logistics behind getting ballots to voters and what precautions will be taken for those who need to vote in person. John Myers, the Sacramento Bureau Chief of the Los Angeles Times, shares why it’s so easy to vote absentee in the state. David Wasserman, House editor for The Cook Political Report, dissects what a primarily vote-by-mail election looks like and uses the special election in the state’s 25th District as a case study. 

In April, Wisconsin held its primary and local elections in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic. Many voters who did not receive their absentee ballots in time had to choose between risking their health to vote in person or not voting at all. This week, the state’s Supreme Court struck down the stay-at-home order signed by Democratic Governor Tony Evers in March. Amy shares her thoughts on the partial reopening.

Heather Long, economics correspondent at The Washington Post, and Betsey Stevenson, Professor of Public Policy and Economics at the University of Michigan, explain what the economic downturn means for small businesses and the American middle class long-term. 

Rallies, conventions, and press conferences were once the primary method for campaigns to connect with voters. The coronavirus pandemic has forced politicians and strategists to rethink how they approach campaigning. Stephanie Cutter, deputy campaign manager for President Barack Obama in 2012, and Matt Rhoades, campaign manager for Mitt Romney in 2012, share how campaigns will need to rely heavily on digital efforts.

Recent graduates seeking to get involved in field campaigns have also had to shift expectations.Sam Aleman, a digital organizer for the Democratic National Committee, andKiran Menon, a senior at the University of Virginia studying politics, discuss what it’s like to pursue campaign jobs during the pandemic. 

States have scrambled to adjust long-planned elections because of the public health risk posed by COVID-19. Earlier this month, the governor of Wisconsin attempted to postpone in-person voting but was ultimately unsuccessful. So on April 7, Wisconsin voters stood six feet apart in long lines to cast their ballots while respecting social distancing. Since then, a Milwaukee Journal Sentinelinvestigationfound systemic problems with the state’s absentee ballot request process. Reporter Daphne Chendescribed the electoral shortfalls. 

Also, Ohio Secretary of StateFrank LaRose describes how he’s navigating the changes of the state’s upcoming all vote by mail primary.

Aspart of our series on governingduring a pandemic, we spoke to Jacksonville MayorLenny Curry. He shared how his constituents are holding up and how he’s advising the governor on reopening the state.    

Check out our ongoing coverage of the COVID-19 pandemichere.

NOTE: This is an evolving story, our Politics host Amy Walter be keeping up with it and tweeting her analysis throughout the weekend. You can find Amy at @amyewalter or click her Twitter thread below for all of the latest: 

Just now: WI Gov. Evers (D) calls for special session to turn the 4/7 primary into all vote-by-mail. According to MKE Journal’s @MollyBeck , GOP legislature has rejected it & “WI polls will be open on Tues. & people will be voting in person.” 1/

— amy walter (@amyewalter) April 3, 2020

On Tuesday, April 7th, Wisconsin will hold its primary election in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic. While 15 states have postponed their primaries, officials in Wisconsin have decided to move forward with the race rather than leave local elected positions in limbo.

Patrick Marley from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, State Representative Tyler August, and Congresswoman Gwen Moore join Politics with Amy Walter to discuss the decision to host an election during the coronavirus pandemic.  

Also, Austin Mayor Steve Adler shares what it’s like to govern during a pandemic in a blue city within a red state. 

Finally, Chryl Laird, Assistant Professor of Government at Bowdoin College and author of “Steadfast Democrats: How Social Forces Shape Black Political Behavior,” shares why Black Americans are such a loyal voting bloc for Democrats. 

Check out our ongoing coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic here.

March 29, 2018: It’s been rumored for weeks in political circles, and on Wednesday evening President Trump made it official: Veterans Affairs Secretary David Shulkin is out and will be replaced in the coming weeks by the president’s physician, Navy Admiral Ronny Jackson. Shulkin was an Obama-era holdover, who quickly became the target of accusations of spending abuses, mismanagement, and suffered a staff rebellion within the agency. The Takeaway looks at this latest cabinet-level departure. Plus, we examine the ransomware attack holding Atlanta’s digital systems hostage; the Wisconsin special elections that Governor Walker had been trying to delay; the tiny provision in the federal spending bill that President Trump signed last week which could have an outsize impact on minor league baseball players; and the way scientific research has been designed to emphasize male bodies.