THE BIG STORY

These are the nightmare scenarios for the 2020 election

We’re 20 days away from the presidential election, a contest that could be so tight that the losing party refuses to concede. Such an event would trigger a chaotic free-for-all in which Congress, the courts, and, in the most extreme case, the military could determine the winner.

You should know that the peaceful transition of power doesn’t rest on a well-defined set of rules. Instead, it depends on politicians being willing to admit they lost. President Donald Trump has refused to commit to giving up the White House if former vice president Joe Biden wins.

We talked to constitutional experts, who explained how a single governor’s decision could spiral into each side blocking the other from seizing the White House.

It’s a scenario made possible by the Constitution’s 12th Amendment. As one expert told us, “If this happens, we’ve crossed a line in the history of the republic.”

Paul McLeod explains the nightmare scenarios to consider.

Nice Constitution you got there. Would be a shame if it was put to an unprecedented test.

STAYING ON TOP OF THIS

Judge Amy Coney Barrett won’t say how she’d rule on abortion, healthcare, marriage equality, or the election

On the second day of her confirmation hearings, Judge Amy Coney Barrett, President Trump’s Supreme Court nominee, took questions on how she would rule on hot-button issues.

Barrett was asked about abortion access, the future of the Affordable Care Act, LGBTQ rights, and the potential legal fights over this year’s presidential election.

The judge declined to answer, referring instead to the past practices of Supreme Court nominees who wouldn’t say how they’d rule in any given case. She said that she would go into the job of a justice with an open mind.

Sen. Kamala Harris kept her questioning laser-focused on healthcare.

Remember: Unless at least four Republican senators break ranks, Democrats don't have the votes to stop Barrett from being confirmed.

SNAPSHOTS

Almost 12 million Americans have already voted in the presidential election. In some states, like Vermont, the number of people who have voted so far account for nearly 30% of the state's turnout in the 2016 general election, according to US Elections Project data.

The Supreme Court is allowing the Trump administration to end the census count early. The court will allow the administration to stop the census count before the end of October. Justice Sonia Sotomayor wrote a dissent, saying the “harms associated with an inaccurate census are avoidable and intolerable.”

Two major COVID clinical trials were paused over safety concerns — which is exactly how trials should work. Trials for Eli Lilly’s antibody treatment and Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccine were both paused this week. We explain why study pauses are not uncommon occurrences.

Mitch McConnell laughed when he was called out for the Senate’s inaction on COVID-19 relief. The Senate Majority Leader laughed when he was confronted about the Senate's failure to pass coronavirus relief measures during a debate with his Democratic opponent Amy McGrath.

Apple has announced four new iPhone 12s with 5G speeds. The new features include faster processors, better cameras, more durable front glass, faster chips, and snap-on chargers using magnets. I hear the devices make phone calls, too.

CLEANING HOUSE

Facebook bans ads that “discourage” vaccines

Facebook has been stepping up its efforts to regulate content and ads as the US election approaches and the pandemic drags on. Recently, it took steps to limit Holocaust denial, voter intimidation, and the QAnon mass delusion.

Now the social media giant says it won’t accept ads that “discourage” vaccines, as part of a new strategy to support immunization efforts around the world, including encouraging people to get a flu shot.

Facebook said the new policy builds on an existing policy that bans ads that contain “vaccine hoaxes.”

“Now, if an ad explicitly discourages someone from getting a vaccine, we’ll reject it,” the company announced.

SCHOOL OF CROCK

Are you a teacher dealing with conspiracy theories in class?

Conspiracy theories, like the QAnon mass delusion, are mostly being shared by older folks on Facebook. But it’s easy enough to imagine young people latching onto them and bringing them to the classroom.

We’re reaching out to teachers to find out more about how this is playing out. Have you had students come to you with conspiracy theories that they've read online or were taught at home? What are the challenges in countering misinformation with your students? We’d like to hear from you.

Tend to your big and small dreams today,

Elamin