Wisconsin Primaries and Democratic Turnout: Wisconsin, one of six swing states crucial for deciding the presidential election, is holding primaries on Tuesday. Newly drawn legislative maps are in use after the state’s highest court declared old district lines, which heavily favored Republicans, unconstitutional. Joe Biden’s campaign hopes that the newly competitive local races will boost Democratic turnout. However, some Wisconsin Democrats, echoing sentiments in nearby Michigan, may opt to vote “uncommitted” to protest against Biden’s support for Israel during the conflict in Gaza.
Trump’s Civil-Fraud Case: Former President Donald Trump posted a $175 million bond as part of his civil-fraud case in New York. This payment, reduced from $454 million last month on appeal, prevents the seizure of his assets, which could have significantly impacted his election campaign. Trump was found guilty of fraudulently inflating his property values.
Abortion Rulings in Florida: Florida’s Supreme Court ruled that the state’s ban on abortion after 15 weeks, with some exceptions, is constitutional. This decision paves the way for a stricter six-week ban to come into effect on May 1st. Additionally, the court approved an abortion referendum to enshrine the right to abortion until viability in the state’s constitution, which will be voted on by Floridians in November.
Marijuana Legalization and Social-Media Company’s Stocks: Florida’s top court also permitted a vote on legalizing recreational marijuana. Meanwhile, shares in Donald Trump’s social-media company plummeted by 21% after disclosing losses of over $58 million in 2023. The company, which owns Truth Social, went public last month but faces significant economic challenges ahead.
Resignation of Uvalde Mayor: The mayor of Uvalde, Texas, where a tragic school shooting occurred in 2022, resigned citing health issues. This resignation follows the publication of an independent report clearing local police of wrongdoing in their response to the shooting, which was criticized in a federal report earlier this year.
Global Perspectives on American Politics: The Economist introduces a new feature called “A View from Elsewhere,” which gathers perspectives on American politics from around the world. This feature aims to provide diverse insights into the current political landscape.
Poll Tracker and Daily Quiz: The race between Biden and Trump remains stable, according to the Economist’s poll tracker. Additionally, a daily quiz on American politics is featured, with readers invited to participate by emailing their answers.
