HOW DO YOU THROW A PRESIDENTIAL CONVENTION IN A PANDEMIC?
By Lisa Desjardins, @LisaDNews
Correspondent

The challenges facing the two presidential conventions this year can be boiled down to two things: time and space. As the pandemic’s trajectory changes daily, Democrats and Republicans don’t have much time left to make some very big decisions about the space they may need for their presidential conventions, which are set to begin just three months from now. That’s a mere two weeks more distant than the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic. 

Currently, Democrats are slated to meet Aug. 17 to 20 in Milwaukee; Republicans convene one week later, from Aug. 24 to 27, in Charlotte.

While Democrats are considering a ”virtual convention,” President Donald Trump on Monday threatened that Republicans may look to hold their convention elsewhere if North Carolina cannot guarantee that they will be allowed to fill the 20,000-person arena currently set to host the event. And the Republican National Committee released a statement Friday stressing that it still expects some 50,000 people to arrive in Charlotte for the convention. Here’s a look at what is involved in the decisions ahead for both parties.

Republicans:

• Convention dates: Aug. 24 - 27.
• Status of the host state:  Average weekly COVID-19 cases continue to climb in North Carolina. (Here’s a helpful graphic on confirmed cases by state.) But perhaps more significant is that Mecklenburg County, which includes Charlotte, has the state’s highest infection rate, with twice as many COVID-19 cases confirmed than elsewhere in the state.
• Reopening plan of host state: The state began “phase 2” of reopening Friday, lifting its stay-at-home order and allowing indoor gatherings of up to 10 people at a time. According to the state’s reopening plan, officials won’t be able to get to the next phase for at least another four to six weeks, and at that point they’ll need to determine by how much they’re willing to increase that group size. 
• Logistics of keeping the in-person convention: Hundreds of support staff, technical crews and construction operatives usually begin work in the convention hall at least one month before the event.  Media outlets similarly need weeks to set up their workspaces, including any broadcast facilities. And of course, catering companies and restaurants need to be prepared to feed whatever number of people attend. Mask-wearing, hand-washing and social distancing requirements would need to be carefully considered. If North Carolina does not allow this size event, Republicans will need to either pare down or quickly find another venue in another state — a move as yet unheard of in modern politics.
• Logistics of canceling the in-person convention: Republicans have not yet changed their rules to allow for a proxy nominating vote. Currently, Trump must be nominated by an in-person vote at an actual convention.
• Host state politics: North Carolina is divided. While it voted for Trump in 2016, Gov. Roy Cooper is a Democrat, as is the mayor of Charlotte. The state legislature’s two chambers are both controlled by Republicans. And both of the state’s U.S. Senators are Republican, —one of them, Sen. Tom Tillis, is facing a challenging reelection battle this year.

Democrats:

• Convention dates: Aug. 17 - 20. (This is the rescheduled date, due to the pandemic. Democrats originally planned for a July convention.)
• Status of the host state: The trend, or average weekly number of cases from coronavirus in Wisconsin, is still moving upward.
• Reopening plan of the host state: Wisconsin is partially reopening. Beginning June 1, the state will allow people to dine in outdoor spaces at restaurants in groups no larger than four people. It is not clear when the state will be  deciding whether to allow gatherings as large as those a heavily attended political convention would attract.
• Logistics of keeping the in-person convention: Hundreds of staffers would be needed in Milwaukee to set up the convention. And Democrats would need to carefully consider how to encourage safe practices, like social distancing and mask wearing. Democrats do not seem to be considering moving to another venue.
• Logistics of canceling the in-person convention: Democrats have made this a bit easier, by voting to allow proxy voting for convention decisions. This way, just a fraction of the delegates must attend. Others can come, or not, as they choose. Democrats are also now openly considering the possibility of satellite conventions.
• Host state politics: Wisconsin narrowly gave Trump a victory in 2016 and then elected Democrat Tony Evers as governor in 2018.  Republicans govern both chambers of the state legislature. The state has one Republican and one Democratic U.S. senator.

FIVE OVERLOOKED POLITICAL STORIES FROM THE PAST WEEK
By Alex D’Elia, @AlexDEliaNews
Politics production assistant

Federal judge rules Florida ex-felons can vote despite fines or fees -- May 25. Judge Robert Hinkle struck down what he called a “pay-to-vote system.” Why it matters: Pending an appeal from the state’s Republican governor, hundreds of thousands of Florida’s ex-felons will be able to vote in the November election per Amendment 4, a ballot measure approved by voters back in 2018. -- Orlando Sentinel 

How Pence’s visit highlighted Georgia’s tense GOP Senate race -- May 24. The White House is in a delicate dance with two Republican lawmakers in Georgia — Rep. Doug Collins and Sen. Kelly Loeffler — who are running against each other for the Senate seat Loeffler currently holds. Why it matters: Numerous polls, including some backed by Republican groups, show that Loeffler either deadlocked or trailing Collins as she attempts to move past a scandal around her stock trades made shortly after being briefed on the coronavirus threat. -- The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

As meatpacking plants reopen, data about worker illness remains elusive -- May 25. State leaders and meatpacking companies are sending conflicting signals about how much information to release on outbreaks in parts of Iowa, Nebraska and Colorado. Why it matters: Vital information about the extent of the virus’ spread is in some cases not being shared publicly, leaving workers and communities in the dark. -- The New York Times

Florida says no evidence of fraud in 2018 mail vote fraud probe -- May 21. State law officials found no evidence of vote-by-mail fraud by the Florida Democratic Party in an investigation that lasted more than a year. Why it matters: The conclusion comes as President Donald Trump is escalating his attacks on mail-in voting and threatening to “hold up” federal funding to Michigan and Nevada if they move forward with their plans to increase mail voting in order to decrease the public’s exposure to COVID-19. -- Tampa Bay Times

Hemp was supposed to boost farmers. It’s turned out to be a flop. -- May 25. The crop that was championed by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is suffering because of inaction by the FDA and confusing state laws that vary across the country. Why it matters: Though the new crop was meant to boost farmers in agriculturally ailing states — like McConnell’s home state of Kentucky — farmers instead are struggling to navigate the market while several CBD businesses have declared bankruptcy. -- POLITICO

#POLITICSTRIVIA
By Kate Grumke, @KGrumke
Politics producer

On this day in 1868, Andrew Johnson's impeachment trial ended. The Senate voted on three articles of impeachment, and failed to get the necessary two-thirds majority on any of them to convict Johnson and remove him from office. Each article failed by the same number of votes.

Our question: How many votes did each article fail by?

Send your answers to [email protected] or tweet using #PoliticsTrivia. The first correct answers will earn a shout-out next week.

Last week, we asked: Which famous civil rights leader, born in 1925, is honored on his birthday with local events in some cities, states and the District of Columbia?

The answer is Malcolm X, whose legacy remains poignant and controversial. 

Malcolm X Day has been celebrated in different cities for several decades; most commemorations are local and community-organized. In Berkeley, California, it is a public holiday with schools and city offices closed. 

Congratulations to our winners: KEVIN ECK and JACKIE AUSTIN!

Thank you all for reading and watching. We’ll drop into your Inbox next week.