vox--2020-09-21--After six months and $1.8 billion, Quibi wants a new owner. That will be a hard sell.

Quibi was supposed to be revolutionary : A video service that was supposed to fill the gap between YouTube and HBO by bringing short , “ premium ” clips starring celebrities like Liam Hemsworth and Chrissy Teigen to your phone , for a price .
But that was in the spring .
Now , Quibi might be headed to a fire sale : Just six months after launching — and after raising $ 1.8 billion — Quibi has started looking for a buyer .
It ’ s a stunning admission that the high-profile service hasn ’ t found enough traction @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CEO Meg Whitman and Quibi founder Jeffrey Katzenberg have already pitched at least one potential acquirer in the last week , industry sources told Recode .
The Wall Street Journal previously reported that Quibi was considering options including a sale , raising more money , or going public by backing into a shell company .
Katzenberg declined to answer questions via email .
His company insists , via a statement from a PR rep and in its pitch to would-be acquirers , that the service has had a successful launch , despite well-documented @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that it ’ s trying to find a buyer undercuts those arguments .
But the more practical question about Quibi now is what exactly a buyer would get .
There ’ s some cash — a source familiar with the pitch says the company has said it has more than $ 200 million on-hand — as well as the tech Quibi built to bring its video to your phone .
It ’ s particularly proud of what it calls its “ turnstyle ” system , where viewers can rotate their phone 90 degrees @ @ @ @ @ @ @ video they were watching .
Quibi ’ s engineering team might also be valuable to a certain kind of buyer .
Okay .
But what about all those shows Quibi has ?
Those should be worth ... something , right ?
Even if people didn ’ t watch them on Quibi , it ’ s possible to imagine they might watch them on a different service that already has lots of viewers .
Netflix , for instance , has demonstrated that once it takes a show and makes it available to its 200 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very popular , even if it wasn ’ t popular on its home network .
Schitt ’ s Creek , the show that won seven Emmys , including for best comedy , last night , used to be on something called the Pop network , which you have likely never heard of — but Netflix made it a hit .
Ditto for Cobra Kai , the Karate Kid spinoff which started out on YouTube but jumped to Netflix this summer and took off .
But the problem with that pitch when it comes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases , Quibi doesn ’ t actually own the shows it has paid for : It has licenses that last several years , at which point they go back to the companies that made them .
( Disclosure : Vox Media produces shows for Quibi . )
So if you ’ re buying Quibi because you want to get your hands on The Most Dangerous Game , you ’ re going to have to take advantage of it in the near future .
Which means you ’ re unlikely to value Quibi has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like .
All of which is an astonishing place for Quibi to be in .
There was a lot of skepticism in advance of the service ’ s launch in April — mostly because there hasn ’ t been a successful example of a paid , mobile-only video-streaming service .
And also because there ’ s no shortage of other video options these days .
And also because , contrary to Quibi ’ s marketing pitch — which argued that Quibi would help people pass the time while they waited in line for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ brew — people have plenty of other things they can do on their phones .
Still , it would have been hard to find someone who thought Quibi would be looking for a way out just a few months after it started .
Katzenberg , a Hollywood veteran , is a famously relentless networker and promoter who had spent years putting this together .
If he ’ s eyeing the exit this soon , something has gone very wrong .
Help keep Vox free for all Millions turn to Vox each month to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ news , from the coronavirus crisis to a racial reckoning to what is , quite possibly , the most consequential presidential election of our lifetimes .
Our mission has never been more vital than it is in this moment : to empower you through understanding .
But our distinctive brand of explanatory journalism takes resources .
Even when the economy and the news advertising market recovers , your support will be a critical part of sustaining our resource-intensive work .
If you have already contributed , thank you .
If you haven ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sense of an increasingly chaotic world : Contribute today from as little as $ 3 .

Quibi was supposed to be revolutionary: A video service that was supposed to fill the gap between YouTube and HBO by bringing short, “premium” clips starring celebrities like Liam Hemsworth and Chrissy Teigen to your phone, for a price.
But that was in the spring. Now, Quibi might be headed to a fire sale: Just six months after launching — and after raising $1.8 billion — Quibi has started looking for a buyer. It’s a stunning admission that the high-profile service hasn’t found enough traction to continue on its own.
Quibi CEO Meg Whitman and Quibi founder Jeffrey Katzenberg have already pitched at least one potential acquirer in the last week, industry sources told Recode. The Wall Street Journal previously reported that Quibi was considering options including a sale, raising more money, or going public by backing into a shell company.
Katzenberg declined to answer questions via email. His company insists, via a statement from a PR rep and in its pitch to would-be acquirers, that the service has had a successful launch, despite well-documented failures to attract users. The fact that it’s trying to find a buyer undercuts those arguments.
But the more practical question about Quibi now is what exactly a buyer would get. There’s some cash — a source familiar with the pitch says the company has said it has more than $200 million on-hand — as well as the tech Quibi built to bring its video to your phone. It’s particularly proud of what it calls its “turnstyle” system, where viewers can rotate their phone 90 degrees to see a different version of the video they were watching. Quibi’s engineering team might also be valuable to a certain kind of buyer.
Okay. But what about all those shows Quibi has? Those should be worth ... something, right? Even if people didn’t watch them on Quibi, it’s possible to imagine they might watch them on a different service that already has lots of viewers.
Netflix, for instance, has demonstrated that once it takes a show and makes it available to its 200 million users, that show can become very popular, even if it wasn’t popular on its home network. Schitt’s Creek, the show that won seven Emmys, including for best comedy, last night, used to be on something called the Pop network, which you have likely never heard of — but Netflix made it a hit. Ditto for Cobra Kai, the Karate Kid spinoff which started out on YouTube but jumped to Netflix this summer and took off.
But the problem with that pitch when it comes to Quibi is that, in most cases, Quibi doesn’t actually own the shows it has paid for: It has licenses that last several years, at which point they go back to the companies that made them. (Disclosure: Vox Media produces shows for Quibi.)
So if you’re buying Quibi because you want to get your hands on The Most Dangerous Game, you’re going to have to take advantage of it in the near future. Which means you’re unlikely to value Quibi has highly as its managers and investors would like.
All of which is an astonishing place for Quibi to be in. There was a lot of skepticism in advance of the service’s launch in April — mostly because there hasn’t been a successful example of a paid, mobile-only video-streaming service. And also because there’s no shortage of other video options these days. And also because, contrary to Quibi’s marketing pitch — which argued that Quibi would help people pass the time while they waited in line for a sandwich or for their coffee to brew — people have plenty of other things they can do on their phones.
Still, it would have been hard to find someone who thought Quibi would be looking for a way out just a few months after it started. Katzenberg, a Hollywood veteran, is a famously relentless networker and promoter who had spent years putting this together. If he’s eyeing the exit this soon, something has gone very wrong.


vox--2020-09-21--How to vote by mail in 2020

How to vote by mail in 2020

Vox answers your biggest questions about the 2020 US presidential election , which could be one of the most consequential of our lifetimes .
Like just about every other facet of life in America , Election Day is going to look a little bit different in 2020 .
Though voters will still go to the polls , at least in most states , a record number of people are expected to vote by mail from the comfort of their homes .
But while in a normal election you probably just need to know two dates — when to register to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ election is — there are a few more to keep track of if you plan to vote by mail this November .
Vox is here to help .
First , make sure you ’ re registered — some states ’ relevant deadlines are as early as October 4 ( many have later deadlines if you are voting in person ) .
Then you should know what types of voting your state allows , and where it falls on the spectrum of making it easy ( or hard ) for voters to cast their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ few states conduct their elections solely through the mail , the vast majority of American states and territories have expanded absentee voting during the pandemic to permit any voter to cast a ballot by mail .
Some , however , still have strict requirements for who can get an absentee ballot .
Specifically , most states require that you submit an absentee ballot request ( absentee voting is functionally the same thing as mail-in voting , despite what President Donald Trump may say ) .
Then it ’ s a good idea to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to show up , and of course when you need to return it so that it ’ s counted .
For ballot requests and/or returns , remember the relevant deadline may be for receipt , not postmarking .
Treat the deadlines with extreme caution , though : The USPS warned 46 states and the District of Columbia in late July this year that the anticipated surge of absentee voting could be such that some ballots arrive too late to be counted .
What ’ s more , Trump ’ s unfounded animus against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Postal Service could make things even harder .
None of that is to dissuade you from voting by mail , but it should underscore the critical importance of requesting your ballot early and voting early .
Some more words of warning : The rules aren ’ t totally settled in some places .
And there are a lot of active lawsuits over state election laws right now , some of which are trying to make it easier to vote absentee and others that are trying to cut back on it .
It ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with your local elections office about deadlines and rules that may vary by county ; rules for military and overseas voters vary , too .
Finally , be sure to fill out and seal your ballot carefully , as it may be rejected if it ’ s missing a requirement like a matching signature .
In several states , certification by a witness or notary may be required .
If you ’ re not sure how you plan to vote — in many states , early in-person voting is also an option , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a secure ballot dropbox !
— then Vox ’ s Jen Kirby has the comprehensive voting guide for you .
( Note : In some states , you may have to vote provisionally if you request a mail ballot but decide to vote in person .
You may also be able to track your ballot to ensure it gets to election officials . )
But if you are planning to vote by mail , Vox has collected the dates you need to know — deadlines to register to vote ( if you want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to apply for an absentee ballot , dates when ballots are expected to go out to voters , and deadlines to return your ballot — right here .
Read on for those dates in all 50 states and Washington , DC , organized by how easy or difficult it is to vote by mail in each .
Or go ahead and do a page “ find ” search to see your state deadlines quickly .
Again , it ’ s best to get started well before the deadlines to account for mailing windows @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vary and are subject to change .
Check with a local election official if you have any questions about how to vote .
If you live in Colorado , Hawaii , Oregon , Utah , or Washington , you ’ re in luck .
All five states already use universal vote-by-mail systems , so , pandemic notwithstanding , not much has changed .
If you ’ re registered to vote , a ballot should show up in your mailbox — you just need to get it back in the mail , or into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s received by your state ’ s deadline — or well before it .
That ’ s not to say you couldn ’ t go vote in-person on Election Day if you wanted to — voting centers or county elections offices in all five states allow you to cast a vote day-of if you so choose — but voting by mail is more readily accessible .
Here are the deadlines you need to know : • Register to vote by : Oct. 26 if voting by mail • Ballots expected to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 12 • Return your ballot by : 7 pm on Nov. 3 • Ballots expected to be mailed by : Oct. 16 • Return your ballot by : 6 pm on Nov. 3 • Ballots expected to start to be mailed out : Oct. 14 • Return your ballot by : 8 pm on Nov. 3 • Ballots expected to start to be mailed out : Oct. 13 • Return your ballot by : Postmarked by Nov. 2 ; received between Nov. 10 and Nov. 17 by canvass date ; Nov. 3 in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be mailed out : Oct. 16 • Return your ballot by : Postmarked by Nov. 3 If you live in California , Nevada , New Jersey , Vermont , or the District of Columbia , voting absentee should be straightforward .
On account of the coronavirus pandemic , all four states and DC plan to automatically send absentee ballots to registered voters .
In Nevada and New Jersey , things have been complicated by pending Trump campaign lawsuits that seek to block the states from sending an absentee ballot to every registered voter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ points out , there are plenty of reasons to doubt that effort will succeed , but it ’ s worth keeping an eye on as Election Day draws closer .
In any case , if you live in one of these states and you ’ re registered to vote , you should have an absentee ballot coming your way ahead of the November election .
Here ’ s when you can expect them , and when they need to be returned by to be counted : • Ballots expected to start to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your ballot by : Postmarked by Nov. 3 ; received by Nov. 20 • Register to vote by : Oct. 13 , or Oct. 26 if you ’ re registering in person • Ballots expected to start to be mailed out : First week of October • Return your ballot by : Postmarked by Nov. 3 ; received by Nov. 10 • Register to vote by : Oct. 6 , or Oct. 29 if registering online • Ballots expected to start to be mailed out : Late September or early October • Return @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 3 ; received by Nov. 10 • Ballots expected to start to be mailed out : Sept. 19 • Return your ballot by : Postmarked by Nov. 3 ; received by 8 pm on Nov. 5 • Register to vote by : Day-of registration available • Ballots expected to start to be mailed out : Sept. 18 • Return your ballot by : Received by 7 pm on Nov. 3 or returned to the town clerk ’ s office by close of business on Nov. 2 If you live in one of about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ step to deal with before you can vote from home .
Though almost every state has expanded absentee ballot access in the face of the coronavirus pandemic ( we ’ ll get to the ones that haven ’ t — like Texas and Mississippi — in a minute ) , most still require voters to request an absentee ballot .
That means there are at least two dates to know : when you need to submit your request by , and when your ballot needs to be returned by .
In some cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be sent an absentee ballot application to fill out if they wish .
In other states , you might need to seek out an application on the state ’ s election website ( frequently found on the secretary of state ’ s site ) .
Montana is somewhat of a strange case : In addition to having no-excuse absentee voting , counties have the option of switching to something more similar to universal mail-in voting in the pandemic .
Most have done so , though all will have in-person polling places open @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the following states always allow for no-excuse absentee voting , others in this category have only recently adopted that policy in response to Covid-19 .
Yet others , such as Alabama and Kentucky , still technically require an excuse — but coronavirus concerns are enough .
One last thing : Several states , like Wyoming and Minnesota , don ’ t have a ballot request deadline to speak of , but that doesn ’ t mean you don ’ t need to do it early .
Just because you can request a ballot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mean it ’ ll show up in time for you to vote it .
• Ballots expected to start to be mailed out : Sept. 19 • Return your ballot by : Postmarked by Nov. 2 ; received by noon on Nov. 3 • Ballots must be notarized or signed by two witnesses .
• Ballots expected to start to be mailed out : Oct. 9 ( earlier for remote , military , and overseas voters ) • Return your ballot by : Postmarked by Nov. 3 ; received by Nov. 13 • @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
• Ballots expected to start to be mailed out : Oct. 7 • Return your ballot by : 7 pm on Nov. 3 • Request your ballot by : Oct. 27 by mail or online ; Nov. 2 if submitting application in person • Ballots expected to start to be mailed out : Sept. 18 • Return your ballot by : 7:30 pm on Nov. 3 • Register to vote by : Oct. 27 ( postmarked-by date if registering by mail ) • Ballots expected to start to be mailed out : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : 8 pm on Nov. 3 • Request your ballot by : Oct. 30 by mail ; Nov. 2 by noon if submitting application in person • Ballots expected to start to be mailed out : Sept. 19 • Return your ballot by : 8 pm on Nov. 3 • Ballots expected to start to be mailed out : Sept. 24 • Return your ballot by : 7 pm on Nov. 3 • Ballots expected to start to be mailed out : Sept. 18 • Return your ballot by : Postmarked by Nov. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This could still change — the state of Georgia is appealing a verdict on ballot deadlines ) • Request your ballot by : Oct. 23 by mail ; Oct. 30 if submitting application in person • Ballots expected to start to be mailed out : Sept. 18 • Return your ballot by : 8 pm on Nov. 3 • Request your ballot by : Oct. 29 by mail ; Nov. 2 if submitting application in person • Ballots expected to start to be mailed out : Sept. 24 • Return your ballot by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Nov. 17 • Request your ballot by : 5 pm on Oct. 24 • Ballots expected to start to be mailed out : Oct. 5 • Return your ballot by : Postmarked by Nov. 2 ; received by Nov. 9 ; in person by Nov. 3 • Ballots expected to start to be mailed out : Oct. 14 • Return your ballot by : Postmarked by Nov. 3 ; received by Nov. 6 • Register to vote by : 4 pm on Oct. 5 • Ballots expected to start to be mailed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ballot by : Postmarked by Nov. 3 ; received by Nov. 6 • Register to vote by : Oct. 19 if registering by mail • Ballots expected to start to be mailed out : Oct. 4 • Return your ballot by : 8 pm on Nov. 3 • Request your ballot by : Request must be received by Oct. 20 • Ballots expected to start to be mailed out : Sept. 24 • Return your ballot by : Postmarked by Nov. 3 ; received by 10 am on Nov. 13 • Ballots expected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Late September or early October • Return your ballot by : Postmarked by Nov. 3 and received by Nov. 6 • Register to vote by Oct. 19 online or by mail ; in person through Election Day • Request your ballot by : Oct. 30 by mail ; Nov. 3 by 4 pm local time if submitting application in person • Ballots expected to start to be mailed out : Sept. 19 • Return your ballot by : 8 pm on Nov. 3 at the clerk ’ s office ; or postmarked by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • Ballots expected to start to be mailed out : Sept. 18 • Return your ballot by : Postmarked by Nov. 3 ; received by Nov. 10 • Request your ballot by : Oct. 21 by mail ; Nov. 2 if submitting application in person • Ballots expected to start to be mailed out : Sept. 22 • Return your ballot by : 7 pm on Nov. 3 • If you ’ re not in a category at risk for Covid-19 , absentee ballots must be notarized .
• Request your ballot by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ needed in your county ) • Ballots expected to start to be mailed out : Oct. 9 • Return your ballot by : Received by 8 pm local time on Nov. 3 • Ballots expected to start to be mailed out : Sept. 28 • Return your ballot by : 8 pm on Nov. 3 • Register to vote by : Oct. 21 to Oct. 28 ( varies by county ) ; registration for voting absentee requires a witness • Ballots expected to start to be mailed out : Oct. 4 • Return @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nov. 3 • Request your ballot by : 5 pm on Oct. 20 • Ballots expected to start to be mailed out : Oct. 12 • Return your ballot by : 7 pm on Nov. 3 • Request your ballot by : Oct. 27 by mail ; Nov. 2 if submitting application in person • Ballots expected to start to be mailed out : Sept. 18 • Return your ballot by : Postmarked by Nov. 3 ; received by Nov. 10 or by Nov. 4 without a postmark • Ballots expected to start @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the earliest in the country • Return your ballot by : Postmarked by Nov. 3 ; received by 5 pm on Nov. 6 • Ballots must be signed by a witness .
• Register to vote by : Voter registration not required • Ballots expected to start to be mailed out : Sept. 24 • Return your ballot by : Postmarked by Nov. 2 ; received by Nov. 9 ( before canvass ) ; in person by Nov. 3 • Request your ballot by : Oct. 31 by noon • Ballots expected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Oct. 6 • Return your ballot by : Postmarked by Nov. 2 ; received by Nov. 13 ; in person by Nov. 3 • Request your ballot by : 5 pm on Oct. 27 • Ballots expected to start to be mailed out : Sept. 19 • Return your ballot by : 7 pm on Nov. 3 • Request your ballot by : 5 pm on Oct. 27 • Ballots expected to start to be mailed out : Sept. 14 • Return your ballot by : Postmarked by 8 pm on Nov. 3 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your ballot by : Oct. 13 by 4 pm • Ballots expected to start to be mailed out : Sept. 19 • Return your ballot by : 8 pm on Nov. 3 • Register to vote by : Oct. 5 , or Oct. 4 online • Request your ballot by : Oct. 24 , or Oct. 30 in person • Ballots expected to start to be mailed out : Oct. 4 • Return your ballot by : 7 pm on Nov. 3 • Request your ballot by : 5 pm on Nov. 2 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mailed out : Sept. 18 • Return your ballot by : 7 pm on Nov. 3 • Request your ballot by : Oct. 23 ; in person by Oct. 31 • Ballots expected to start to be mailed out : Sept. 19 • Return your ballot by : Postmarked by Nov. 3 ; received by noon on Nov. 6 • Ballots expected to start to be mailed out : Sept. 18 • Return your ballot by : Postmarked by Nov. 3 ; received by Nov. 9 ( also accepted if received by Nov. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ person by Nov. 2 • Register to vote by : Oct. 14 if registering online or by mail , or Oct. 30 in person • Request your ballot by : 5 pm on Oct. 29 • Ballots expected to start to be mailed out : Sept. 17 • Return your ballot by : Postmarked by Nov. 3 ; received by Nov. 9 • Ballots expected to start to be mailed out : Sept. 18 • Return your ballot by : 7 pm on Nov. 3 With fewer than 60 days until the general @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of states that have done relatively little to accommodate for the reality of a largely uncontrolled pandemic .
In Indiana , Louisiana , Mississippi , Tennessee , and Texas , you still need an excuse to request an absentee ballot — and generalized coronavirus concerns don ’ t count .
In some cases , that could change .
But for now , here ’ s what you need to know to vote by mail in these five states : • Eligible excuses to request an absentee ballot can be found here • Ballots @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : Sept. 19 • Return your ballot by : noon on Nov. 3 • Register to vote by : Oct. 4 if registering by mail or in person ; Oct. 14 if registering online • Eligible excuses : Covid-19 specific excuses can be found here ; general excuses can be found here • Ballots expected to start to be mailed out : Sept. 19 • Return your ballot by : 4:30 pm on Nov. 2 • Ballots must be signed by a witness .
• Eligible excuses to request an absentee ballot can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s ruling may expand the list ) • Request your ballot by : No date specified — to be safe , the earlier the better • Ballots expected to start to be mailed out : Sept. 21 • Return your ballot by : Postmarked by Nov. 3 ; received by Nov. 10 ; in person by Oct. 31 • Eligible excuses to request an absentee ballot can be found here • Ballots expected to start to be mailed out : Sept. 19 • Eligible excuses to request an absentee ballot can be found @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be mailed out : Sept. 19 • Return your ballot by : Postmarked by Nov. 3 ; received by 5 pm on Nov. 4 Correction , September 8 : This article has been updated to reflect Maine ’ s new voter registration deadline , per the governor ’ s August executive order .
Help keep Vox free for all Millions turn to Vox each month to understand what ’ s happening in the news , from the coronavirus crisis to a racial reckoning to what is , quite possibly , the most consequential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mission has never been more vital than it is in this moment : to empower you through understanding .
But our distinctive brand of explanatory journalism takes resources — particularly during a pandemic and an economic downturn .
Even when the economy and the news advertising market recovers , your support will be a critical part of sustaining our resource-intensive work , and helping everyone make sense of an increasingly chaotic world .
Contribute today from as little as $ 3 .

Editor’s note, October 28: The USPS strongly recommends sending back your ballot by mail at least one week before Election Day. If you haven’t mailed yours yet, see our guide to other options for returning your ballot. The article below is no longer being updated.
Like just about every other facet of life in America, Election Day is going to look a little bit different in 2020. Though voters will still go to the polls, at least in most states, a record number of people are expected to vote by mail from the comfort of their homes.
But while in a normal election you probably just need to know two dates — when to register to vote by, and what day the election is — there are a few more to keep track of if you plan to vote by mail this November.
Vox is here to help.
First, make sure you’re registered — some states’ relevant deadlines are as early as October 4 (many have later deadlines if you are voting in person). Then you should know what types of voting your state allows, and where it falls on the spectrum of making it easy (or hard) for voters to cast their ballots by mail.
Though only a few states conduct their elections solely through the mail, the vast majority of American states and territories have expanded absentee voting during the pandemic to permit any voter to cast a ballot by mail. Some, however, still have strict requirements for who can get an absentee ballot.
Specifically, most states require that you submit an absentee ballot request (absentee voting is functionally the same thing as mail-in voting, despite what President Donald Trump may say). Then it’s a good idea to know when you can expect your ballot to show up, and of course when you need to return it so that it’s counted. For ballot requests and/or returns, remember the relevant deadline may be for receipt, not postmarking.
Treat the deadlines with extreme caution, though: The USPS warned 46 states and the District of Columbia in late July this year that the anticipated surge of absentee voting could be such that some ballots arrive too late to be counted. What’s more, Trump’s unfounded animus against mail-in voting and changes at the US Postal Service could make things even harder. None of that is to dissuade you from voting by mail, but it should underscore the critical importance of requesting your ballot early and voting early.
Some more words of warning: The rules aren’t totally settled in some places. And there are a lot of active lawsuits over state election laws right now, some of which are trying to make it easier to vote absentee and others that are trying to cut back on it. It’s always a good idea to check with your local elections office about deadlines and rules that may vary by county; rules for military and overseas voters vary, too.
Finally, be sure to fill out and seal your ballot carefully, as it may be rejected if it’s missing a requirement like a matching signature. In several states, certification by a witness or notary may be required.
If you’re not sure how you plan to vote — in many states, early in-person voting is also an option, as is depositing your absentee ballot in a secure ballot dropbox! — then Vox’s Jen Kirby has the comprehensive voting guide for you. (Note: In some states, you may have to vote provisionally if you request a mail ballot but decide to vote in person. You may also be able to track your ballot to ensure it gets to election officials.)
But if you are planning to vote by mail, Vox has collected the dates you need to know — deadlines to register to vote (if you want to vote by mail), deadlines to apply for an absentee ballot, dates when ballots are expected to go out to voters, and deadlines to return your ballot — right here.
Read on for those dates in all 50 states and Washington, DC, organized by how easy or difficult it is to vote by mail in each. Or go ahead and do a page “find” search to see your state deadlines quickly. Again, it’s best to get started well before the deadlines to account for mailing windows, and these dates and rules may vary and are subject to change. Check with a local election official if you have any questions about how to vote.
The vote-by-mail states
If you live in Colorado, Hawaii, Oregon, Utah, or Washington, you’re in luck. All five states already use universal vote-by-mail systems, so, pandemic notwithstanding, not much has changed. If you’re registered to vote, a ballot should show up in your mailbox — you just need to get it back in the mail, or into a ballot dropbox, early enough that it’s received by your state’s deadline — or well before it.
That’s not to say you couldn’t go vote in-person on Election Day if you wanted to — voting centers or county elections offices in all five states allow you to cast a vote day-of if you so choose — but voting by mail is more readily accessible.
Here are the deadlines you need to know:
Colorado
Register to vote by: Oct. 26 if voting by mail
Ballots expected to start to be mailed out: Oct. 12
Return your ballot by: 7 pm on Nov. 3
Hawaii
Register to vote by: Oct. 5
Ballots expected to be mailed by: Oct. 16
Return your ballot by: 6 pm on Nov. 3
Oregon
Register to vote by: Oct. 13
Ballots expected to start to be mailed out: Oct. 14
Return your ballot by: 8 pm on Nov. 3
Utah
Register to vote by: Oct. 23
Ballots expected to start to be mailed out: Oct. 13
Return your ballot by: Postmarked by Nov. 2; received between Nov. 10 and Nov. 17 by canvass date; Nov. 3 in person
Washington
Register to vote by: Oct. 26
Ballots expected to start to be mailed out: Oct. 16
Return your ballot by: Postmarked by Nov. 3
The absentee-ballot-for-all states
If you live in California, Nevada, New Jersey, Vermont, or the District of Columbia, voting absentee should be straightforward. On account of the coronavirus pandemic, all four states and DC plan to automatically send absentee ballots to registered voters.
In Nevada and New Jersey, things have been complicated by pending Trump campaign lawsuits that seek to block the states from sending an absentee ballot to every registered voter. As Vox’s Ian Millhiser points out, there are plenty of reasons to doubt that effort will succeed, but it’s worth keeping an eye on as Election Day draws closer.
In any case, if you live in one of these states and you’re registered to vote, you should have an absentee ballot coming your way ahead of the November election. Here’s when you can expect them, and when they need to be returned by to be counted:
California
Register to vote by: Oct. 19
Ballots expected to start to be mailed out: Oct. 3
Return your ballot by: Postmarked by Nov. 3; received by Nov. 20
District of Columbia
Register to vote by: Oct. 13, or Oct. 26 if you’re registering in person
Ballots expected to start to be mailed out: First week of October
Return your ballot by: Postmarked by Nov. 3; received by Nov. 10
Nevada
Register to vote by: Oct. 6, or Oct. 29 if registering online
Ballots expected to start to be mailed out: Late September or early October
Return your ballot by: Postmarked by Nov. 3; received by Nov. 10
New Jersey
Register to vote by: Oct. 13
Ballots expected to start to be mailed out: Sept. 19
Return your ballot by: Postmarked by Nov. 3; received by 8 pm on Nov. 5
Vermont
Register to vote by: Day-of registration available
Ballots expected to start to be mailed out: Sept. 18
Return your ballot by: Received by 7 pm on Nov. 3 or returned to the town clerk’s office by close of business on Nov. 2
The states with no-excuse absentee ballot applications
If you live in one of about 35 states, you have one more step to deal with before you can vote from home. Though almost every state has expanded absentee ballot access in the face of the coronavirus pandemic (we’ll get to the ones that haven’t — like Texas and Mississippi — in a minute), most still require voters to request an absentee ballot. That means there are at least two dates to know: when you need to submit your request by, and when your ballot needs to be returned by.
In some cases, like Iowa, every registered voter will be sent an absentee ballot application to fill out if they wish. In other states, you might need to seek out an application on the state’s election website (frequently found on the secretary of state’s site).
Montana is somewhat of a strange case: In addition to having no-excuse absentee voting, counties have the option of switching to something more similar to universal mail-in voting in the pandemic. Most have done so, though all will have in-person polling places open as well.
And while some of the following states always allow for no-excuse absentee voting, others in this category have only recently adopted that policy in response to Covid-19. Yet others, such as Alabama and Kentucky, still technically require an excuse — but coronavirus concerns are enough.
One last thing: Several states, like Wyoming and Minnesota, don’t have a ballot request deadline to speak of, but that doesn’t mean you don’t need to do it early. Just because you can request a ballot up to November 2 doesn’t mean it’ll show up in time for you to vote it.
Alabama
Register to vote by: Oct. 19
Request your ballot by: Oct. 29
Ballots expected to start to be mailed out: Sept. 19
Return your ballot by: Postmarked by Nov. 2; received by noon on Nov. 3
Ballots must be notarized or signed by two witnesses.
Alaska
Register to vote by: Oct. 4
Request your ballot by: Oct. 24
Ballots expected to start to be mailed out: Oct. 9 (earlier for remote, military, and overseas voters)
Return your ballot by: Postmarked by Nov. 3; received by Nov. 13
Arizona
Register to vote by: Oct. 5
Request your ballot by: Oct. 23
Ballots expected to start to be mailed out: Oct. 7
Return your ballot by: 7 pm on Nov. 3
Arkansas
Register to vote by: Oct. 5
Request your ballot by: Oct. 27 by mail or online; Nov. 2 if submitting application in person
Ballots expected to start to be mailed out: Sept. 18
Return your ballot by: 7:30 pm on Nov. 3
Connecticut
Register to vote by: Oct. 27 (postmarked-by date if registering by mail)
Request your ballot by: Nov. 2
Ballots expected to start to be mailed out: Oct. 3
Return your ballot by: 8 pm on Nov. 3
Delaware
Register to vote by: Oct. 10
Request your ballot by: Oct. 30 by mail; Nov. 2 by noon if submitting application in person
Ballots expected to start to be mailed out: Sept. 19
Return your ballot by: 8 pm on Nov. 3
Florida
Register to vote by: Oct. 5
Request your ballot by: 5 pm Oct. 24
Ballots expected to start to be mailed out: Sept. 24
Return your ballot by: 7 pm on Nov. 3
Georgia
Register to vote by: Oct. 5
Request your ballot by: Oct. 30
Ballots expected to start to be mailed out: Sept. 18
Return your ballot by: 7 pm on Nov. 3
Idaho
Register to vote by: Oct. 9
Request your ballot by: Oct. 23 by mail; Oct. 30 if submitting application in person
Ballots expected to start to be mailed out: Sept. 18
Return your ballot by: 8 pm on Nov. 3
Illinois
Register to vote by: Oct. 18
Request your ballot by: Oct. 29 by mail; Nov. 2 if submitting application in person
Ballots expected to start to be mailed out: Sept. 24
Return your ballot by: Postmarked by Nov. 3; received by Nov. 17
Iowa
Register to vote by: Oct. 24
Request your ballot by: 5 pm on Oct. 24
Ballots expected to start to be mailed out: Oct. 5
Return your ballot by: Postmarked by Nov. 2; received by Nov. 9; in person by Nov. 3
Kansas
Register to vote by: Oct. 13
Request your ballot by: Oct. 27
Ballots expected to start to be mailed out: Oct. 14
Return your ballot by: Postmarked by Nov. 3; received by Nov. 6
Kentucky
Register to vote by: 4 pm on Oct. 5
Request your ballot by: Oct. 27
Ballots expected to start to be mailed out: Sept. 14
Return your ballot by: Postmarked by Nov. 3; received by Nov. 6
Maine
Register to vote by: Oct. 19 if registering by mail
Request your ballot by: Oct. 29
Ballots expected to start to be mailed out: Oct. 4
Return your ballot by: 8 pm on Nov. 3
Maryland
Register to vote by: Oct. 13
Request your ballot by: Request must be received by Oct. 20
Ballots expected to start to be mailed out: Sept. 24
Return your ballot by: Postmarked by Nov. 3; received by 10 am on Nov. 13
Massachusetts
Register to vote by: Oct. 24
Request your ballot by: Oct. 20 (recommended); Oct. 28 (hard deadline)
Ballots expected to start to be mailed out: Late September or early October
Return your ballot by: Postmarked by Nov. 3 and received by Nov. 6
Michigan
Register to vote by Oct. 19 online or by mail; in person through Election Day
Request your ballot by: Oct. 30 by mail; Nov. 3 by 4 pm local time if submitting application in person
Ballots expected to start to be mailed out: Sept. 19
Return your ballot by: Nov. 3
Minnesota
Register to vote by: Oct. 13
Request your ballot by: Nov. 2
Ballots expected to start to be mailed out: Sept. 18
Return your ballot by: Postmarked by Nov. 3; received by Nov. 10
Missouri
Register to vote by: Oct. 7
Request your ballot by: Oct. 21 by mail; Nov. 2 if submitting application in person
Ballots expected to start to be mailed out: Sept. 22
Return your ballot by: 7 pm on Nov. 3
If you’re not in a category at risk for Covid-19, absentee ballots must be notarized.
Montana
Register to vote by: Oct. 26
Request your ballot by: noon on Nov. 2 (if needed in your county)
Ballots expected to start to be mailed out: Oct. 9
Return your ballot by: Postmarked by Nov. 3; received by Nov. 9
Nebraska
Register to vote by: Oct. 16
Request your ballot by: Oct. 23
Ballots expected to start to be mailed out: Sept. 28
Return your ballot by: 8 pm on Nov. 3
New Hampshire
Register to vote by: Oct. 21 to Oct. 28 (varies by county); registration for voting absentee requires a witness
Request your ballot by: Nov. 2
Ballots expected to start to be mailed out: Oct. 4
Return your ballot by: 5 pm on Nov. 3
New Mexico
Register to vote by: Oct. 6
Request your ballot by: 5 pm on Oct. 20
Ballots expected to start to be mailed out: Oct. 12
Return your ballot by: 7 pm on Nov. 3
New York
Register to vote by: Oct. 9
Request your ballot by: Oct. 27 by mail; Nov. 2 if submitting application in person
Ballots expected to start to be mailed out: Sept. 18
Return your ballot by: Postmarked by Nov. 3; received by Nov. 10 or by Nov. 4 without a postmark
North Carolina
Register to vote by: Oct. 9
Request your ballot by: Oct. 27
Ballots expected to start to be mailed out: Sept. 4, the earliest in the country
Return your ballot by: Postmarked by Nov. 3; received by Nov. 12 (This extended deadline is being contested, however.)
Ballots must be signed by a witness.
North Dakota
Register to vote by: Voter registration not required
Request your ballot by: Nov. 2
Ballots expected to start to be mailed out: Sept. 24
Return your ballot by: Postmarked by Nov. 2; received by Nov. 9 (before canvass); in person by Nov. 3
Ohio
Register to vote by: Oct. 5
Request your ballot by: Oct. 31 by noon
Ballots expected to start to be mailed out: Oct. 6
Return your ballot by: Postmarked by Nov. 2; received by Nov. 13; in person by Nov. 3
Oklahoma
Register to vote by: Oct. 9
Request your ballot by: 5 pm on Oct. 27
Ballots expected to start to be mailed out: Sept. 19
Return your ballot by: 7 pm on Nov. 3
Pennsylvania
Register to vote by: Oct. 19
Request your ballot by: 5 pm on Oct. 27
Ballots expected to start to be mailed out: Sept. 14
Return your ballot by: Postmarked by 8 pm on Nov. 3; received by Nov. 6
Rhode Island
Register to vote by: Oct. 4
Request your ballot by: Oct. 13 by 4 pm
Ballots expected to start to be mailed out: Sept. 19
Return your ballot by: 8 pm on Nov. 3
South Carolina
Register to vote by: Oct. 5, or Oct. 4 online
Request your ballot by: Oct. 24, or Oct. 30 in person
Ballots expected to start to be mailed out: Oct. 4
Return your ballot by: 7 pm on Nov. 3
After a Supreme Court ruling, a witness signature is required if you have not already submitted your ballot.
South Dakota
Register to vote by: Oct. 19
Request your ballot by: 5 pm on Nov. 2
Ballots expected to start to be mailed out: Sept. 18
Return your ballot by: 7 pm on Nov. 3
Virginia
Register to vote by: Oct. 15 (extended after a website malfunction)
Request your ballot by: Oct. 23; in person by Oct. 31
Ballots expected to start to be mailed out: Sept. 19
Return your ballot by: Postmarked by Nov. 3; received by noon on Nov. 6
West Virginia
Register to vote by: Oct. 13
Request your ballot by: Oct. 28
Ballots expected to start to be mailed out: Sept. 18
Return your ballot by: Postmarked by Nov. 3; received by Nov. 9 (also accepted if received by Nov. 4 without a postmark); in person by Nov. 2
Wisconsin
Register to vote by: Oct. 14 if registering online or by mail, or Oct. 30 in person
Request your ballot by: 5 pm on Oct. 29
Ballots expected to start to be mailed out: Sept. 17
Return your ballot by: Received by Nov. 3
A witness signature is required.
Wyoming
Register to vote by: Oct. 19
Request your ballot by: Nov. 2
Ballots expected to start to be mailed out: Sept. 18
Return your ballot by: 7 pm on Nov. 3
The rest (states with excuse-required absentee ballot applications)
With fewer than 60 days until the general election, there are still a handful of states that have done relatively little to accommodate for the reality of a largely uncontrolled pandemic. In Indiana, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Texas, you still need an excuse to request an absentee ballot — and generalized coronavirus concerns don’t count.
In some cases, that could change. But for now, here’s what you need to know to vote by mail in these five states:
Indiana
Register to vote by: Oct. 5
Eligible excuses to request an absentee ballot can be found here
Request your ballot by: Oct. 22
Ballots expected to start to be mailed out: Sept. 19
Return your ballot by: Postmarked by Nov. 3; received by Nov. 13
Louisiana
Register to vote by: Oct. 5 if registering by mail or in person; Oct. 13 if registering online
Eligible excuses: Covid-19 specific excuses can be found here; general excuses can be found here
Request your ballot by: Oct. 30
Ballots expected to start to be mailed out: Sept. 19
Return your ballot by: 4:30 pm on Nov. 2
Ballots must be signed by a witness.
Mississippi
Register to vote by: Oct. 5
Eligible excuses to request an absentee ballot can be found here (a judge’s ruling may expand the list)
Request your ballot by: No date specified — to be safe, the earlier the better
Ballots expected to start to be mailed out: Sept. 21
Return your ballot by: Postmarked by Nov. 3; received by Nov. 10; in person by Oct. 31
Ballots must be notarized.
Tennessee
Register to vote by: Oct. 5
Eligible excuses to request an absentee ballot can be found here
Request your ballot by: Oct. 27
Ballots expected to start to be mailed out: Sept. 19
Return your ballot by: Nov. 3
Texas
Register to vote by: Oct. 5
Eligible excuses to request an absentee ballot can be found here
Request your ballot by: Oct. 23
Ballots expected to start to be mailed out: Sept. 19
Return your ballot by: Postmarked by Nov. 3; received by 5 pm on Nov. 4
Correction, September 8: This article has been updated to reflect Maine’s new voter registration deadline, per the governor’s August executive order.
Correction, October 12: Updated to reflect Virginia’s deadline to register to vote was October 13. This deadline was later extended to October 15 after a website outage.


vox--2020-09-21--Trump says the US is “out of Syria.” But more US troops are heading there.

Despite President Donald Trump ’ s clear desire to withdraw US troops from Syria and improve ties with Russia , the Pentagon will imminently send around 100 more service members to the war-torn nation to better confront Moscow ’ s forces .
On Friday , the US military announced Bradley fighting vehicles , radar , and more fighter jets to conduct patrols would be on their way to northeast Syria .
The decision comes just a month after seven US service members suffered concussions during a skirmish with a Russian convoy that wasn ’ t expected in the area .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to provide reinforcements for the roughly 500 US troops still in Syria as part of a global coalition to defeat ISIS .
US Central Command , which oversees US military operations in the Middle East , “ has directed a number of actions in northeast Syria to help ensure the safety and security of Coalition forces , ” spokesperson Capt .
Bill Urban said in a Friday statement .
“ The United States does not seek conflict with any other nation in Syria , but will defend Coalition forces if necessary.
” Some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this decision .
“ A small escalation like this is a very classic move in this type of situation , and is a smart way to signal our commitment and attempt to deter Russian forces from taking further steps , ” Shanna Kirschner , a Syria expert at Allegheny College , told me .
And avoiding more aggression is needed .
“ Russia has escalated its harassment of US forces in recent weeks and is likely to continue to provoke such incidents , requiring the US to take extra precautions to ensure our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against ISIS , ” said Jennifer Cafarella , a national security fellow at the Institute for the Study of War in Washington .
For example , Moscow is also using a disinformation campaign targeted at US allies in Syria , namely the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces , to persuade them America isn ’ t a committed partner .
Reports indicate the SDF has quietly courted Russia to assure their survival in case US forces leave the region .
And in June , Russian troops tried to set up an outpost in Derik , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ already set up its own camp .
The situation may be improving , though .
Marine Gen. Kenneth McKenzie Jr. , the US Central Command chief , told NBC News last week Russia ’ s “ behavior has been better ” since US and Russian military leaders discussed how to deescalate tensions .
“ I don ’ t want to judge or project what it might be in the future , ” he continued , “ but I would simply tell you that we are ready for all eventualities in Syria and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ itself.
” The US-Russia tensions in Syria may become a bigger presidential campaign issue Despite the injection of troops and weapons to Syria , Trump assured reporters on Friday — the same day as Central Command ’ s announcement — that the US military wasn ’ t involved in the country .
“ We ’ re out of Syria , other than we kept the oil , ” he said during a White House press conference .
“ I kept the oil .
And we have troops guarding the oil .
Other than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Syria.
” There are four problems with that statement .
First , the US is clearly not “ out of Syria ” — more troops are going in .
But Trump ’ s confusion is expected , especially since he ordered US service members to leave the country last year , only to have a smaller force remain behind .
Second , the US military is protecting oil fields in the country , but much of the oil and money from it is actually going to the Kurds , not America .
Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conference : “ We ’ ll probably be dealing with the Kurds and the oil and see what it all ends up.
” Third , Trump made no mention of the actual US military mission in Syria : to defeat ISIS , not protect and revamp oil fields .
Finally , Trump didn ’ t note the recent problems with Russia in Syria or the injuries to the four US military members during last month ’ s clash .
In fact , Trump still hasn ’ t said anything about the August incident @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to rebuke Trump during an August 31 campaign rally : “ Did you hear the president say a single word ?
Did he lift one finger ?
” Such comments could signal that Syria , and US military issues more broadly , could play some role in the 2020 presidential election debate .
The controversy over Trump ’ s reported attitude toward service members — that he believes they are “ losers ” and “ suckers ” for putting themselves in harm ’ s way — continues to fuel Biden-led attacks .
Further @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as the leader who would extricate the US from foreign wars , not prolong them .
The Syria decision , then , could provide both men fodder for their campaigns .
Trump could say he will do whatever it takes to safeguard American forces , while Biden could claim the president doesn ’ t care about service members he ’ s long left vulnerable against Russian aggression or even the extent of the military ’ s actual size and mission in the country .
Should that argument take off , the already nasty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Help keep Vox free for all Millions turn to Vox each month to understand what ’ s happening in the news , from the coronavirus crisis to a racial reckoning to what is , quite possibly , the most consequential presidential election of our lifetimes .
Our mission has never been more vital than it is in this moment : to empower you through understanding .
But our distinctive brand of explanatory journalism takes resources .
Even when the economy and the news advertising market recovers , your support will be a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
If you have already contributed , thank you .
If you haven ’ t , please consider helping everyone make sense of an increasingly chaotic world : Contribute today from as little as $ 3 .

Despite President Donald Trump’s clear desire to withdraw US troops from Syria and improve ties with Russia, the Pentagon will imminently send around 100 more service members to the war-torn nation to better confront Moscow’s forces.
On Friday, the US military announced Bradley fighting vehicles, radar, and more fighter jets to conduct patrols would be on their way to northeast Syria.
The decision comes just a month after seven US service members suffered concussions during a skirmish with a Russian convoy that wasn’t expected in the area. The altercation clearly moved the Defense Department to provide reinforcements for the roughly 500 US troops still in Syria as part of a global coalition to defeat ISIS.
US Central Command, which oversees US military operations in the Middle East, “has directed a number of actions in northeast Syria to help ensure the safety and security of Coalition forces,” spokesperson Capt. Bill Urban said in a Friday statement. “The United States does not seek conflict with any other nation in Syria, but will defend Coalition forces if necessary.”
Bradley Fighting Vehicles provide the rapid flexibility needed to protect critical petroleum resources. The @Coalition continues to work alongside the SDF in their long term commitment to #defeatdaesh in NE Syria. pic.twitter.com/E7Nt62iGn3 — Inherent Resolve (@CJTFOIR) September 20, 2020
Some experts understand why the US military made this decision. “A small escalation like this is a very classic move in this type of situation, and is a smart way to signal our commitment and attempt to deter Russian forces from taking further steps,” Shanna Kirschner, a Syria expert at Allegheny College, told me.
And avoiding more aggression is needed. “Russia has escalated its harassment of US forces in recent weeks and is likely to continue to provoke such incidents, requiring the US to take extra precautions to ensure our forces remain able to prosecute their mission against ISIS,” said Jennifer Cafarella, a national security fellow at the Institute for the Study of War in Washington.
For example, Moscow is also using a disinformation campaign targeted at US allies in Syria, namely the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, to persuade them America isn’t a committed partner. Reports indicate the SDF has quietly courted Russia to assure their survival in case US forces leave the region. And in June, Russian troops tried to set up an outpost in Derik, not far from where the US has already set up its own camp.
The situation may be improving, though. Marine Gen. Kenneth McKenzie Jr., the US Central Command chief, told NBC News last week Russia’s “behavior has been better” since US and Russian military leaders discussed how to deescalate tensions. “I don’t want to judge or project what it might be in the future,” he continued, “but I would simply tell you that we are ready for all eventualities in Syria and the force has what it needs to protect itself.”
The US-Russia tensions in Syria may become a bigger presidential campaign issue
Despite the injection of troops and weapons to Syria, Trump assured reporters on Friday — the same day as Central Command’s announcement — that the US military wasn’t involved in the country. “We’re out of Syria, other than we kept the oil,” he said during a White House press conference. “I kept the oil. And we have troops guarding the oil. Other than that, we’re out of Syria.”
There are four problems with that statement.
First, the US is clearly not “out of Syria” — more troops are going in. But Trump’s confusion is expected, especially since he ordered US service members to leave the country last year, only to have a smaller force remain behind.
Second, the US military is protecting oil fields in the country, but much of the oil and money from it is actually going to the Kurds, not America. Trump somewhat admitted this in the same press conference: “We’ll probably be dealing with the Kurds and the oil and see what it all ends up.”
Third, Trump made no mention of the actual US military mission in Syria: to defeat ISIS, not protect and revamp oil fields.
Finally, Trump didn’t note the recent problems with Russia in Syria or the injuries to the four US military members during last month’s clash.
In fact, Trump still hasn’t said anything about the August incident, leading former Vice President Joe Biden to rebuke Trump during an August 31 campaign rally: “Did you hear the president say a single word? Did he lift one finger?”
Such comments could signal that Syria, and US military issues more broadly, could play some role in the 2020 presidential election debate. The controversy over Trump’s reported attitude toward service members — that he believes they are “losers” and “suckers” for putting themselves in harm’s way — continues to fuel Biden-led attacks. Further, both candidates want to be seen as the leader who would extricate the US from foreign wars, not prolong them.
The Syria decision, then, could provide both men fodder for their campaigns. Trump could say he will do whatever it takes to safeguard American forces, while Biden could claim the president doesn’t care about service members he’s long left vulnerable against Russian aggression or even the extent of the military’s actual size and mission in the country.
Should that argument take off, the already nasty election could get a whole lot nastier.


vox--2020-09-21--Can the Senate vote on a replacement for Justice Ginsburg before the election?

Election Day is just over six weeks away .
Can Senate Republicans hold a vote to replace Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg before then ?
The short answer is yes , they can , if they — meaning , at least 50 Republican senators — want to .
In recent decades , the Supreme Court confirmation process — from nomination to the final vote — has lasted two to three months .
Typically , this time is taken up by vetting of the nominee ’ s history , writings , and career , and then hearings in the Senate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days ) , before Senate leaders attempt to line up sufficient support for a floor vote .
But there ’ s no reason other than decorum that all this has to take so much time .
If Republican senators are unconcerned about the appearances of an unseemly rush to a vote , they can certainly hold a quicker vote should they so desire .
Ginsburg herself was confirmed just six weeks after being nominated , though her nomination was uncontroversial and it wasn ’ t just before an election .
President Trump says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ginsburg ’ s seat on Friday or Saturday , which would leave five and a half weeks before election day — a shorter timeline , but not that much shorter .
Overall , Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Republicans certainly can push a vote before the election if they want to do so .
But McConnell will only choose to do this if he sees it as preferable to the other option ( waiting until the lame-duck session ) , and if he can line up the votes for confirmation before then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but there ’ s no magic procedural solution to thwart a determined Senate majority here Of course , the Senate is famous for the ability of the minority to thwart the majority ’ s wishes , through the filibuster , which takes 60 votes to overcome .
But Democrats changed the rules to dispense with that 60-vote requirement to advance most nominations back in 2013 , and Republicans finished the job with their own rules change to let Supreme Court nominations be advanced by a simple majority in 2017 .
So the minority @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to block action here .
There are some remaining procedural moves that Democrats can make to delay things slightly , but they should be understood more as protest tactics than anything that could actually “ stop ” a confirmation that the majority wants .
For example , Democrats could boycott Senate Judiciary Committee chair Lindsey Graham ’ s ( R-SC ) hearings for the eventual nominee .
That would deny the committee a quorum , which , under a strict interpretation of the rules , would mean they can ’ t act .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Graham ’ s committee in the past , and he has simply ignored the rules when they are inconvenient .
Others have pointed to the Senate rule requiring 51 senators for a quorum to conduct business .
There are currently 53 Republican senators , meaning that three Republicans could vote no on a Supreme Court nominee and that nominee would still be confirmed by the other 50 Republicans and the tiebreaking vote of Vice President Mike Pence .
However , former Senate aide Jeff Blattner points out that Pence does not count @ @ @ @ @ @ @ So the idea here is that if those three Republican senators join all Democrats in denying a quorum ( by not answering or not being present when one is called ) , they could block a nomination vote from proceeding .
However , the idea that any , let alone three , Republican senators will join Democrats in this highly unusual tactic to thwart their colleagues from even taking a vote seems fanciful .
( Procedural extremism from the minority is generally not an effective tactic at winning over members of the majority @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) Finally , others have suggested that , more broadly , Democratic senators use their power to “ grind everything to a halt ” in the Senate by withholding the “ unanimous consent ” that the chamber runs on day to day .
The problem here is that , to McConnell , this Supreme Court nomination effectively is “ everything.
” Filling this seat will be his top priority .
Making other Senate business more inconvenient for him and Republicans might be an effective attention-getting stunt , but it certainly wouldn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is that McConnell can essentially hold a vote on an eventual nomination whenever he wants to hold one .
The only real constraints are whether he can line up 50 Republican senators for confirmation , and if so , how long that will take .
( That ’ s not to say McConnell will hold a vote before the election — he may see it as in his party ’ s political interest to do it afterward . )
All this doesn ’ t mean the outcome is certain , but it does @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by politics than by procedural tricks or games .
As usual , the question is whether enough Republican senators will decide to stand by McConnell and Trump , or defect .
So far Sens .
Susan Collins ( R-ME ) and Lisa Murkowski ( R-AK ) have said the seat should be filled by the next president ( even if there is a bit of wiggle room in their statements ) .
But that ’ s not enough — two more defections would be necessary to block a nominee , and it ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Perhaps Democrats ’ best hope is the window for confirmation is narrow enough that something — we don ’ t know yet what — may go wrong .
For instance , the time-honored way to derail a Supreme Court nomination is to unearth some scandal in the nominee ’ s background .
It ’ s at least possible that something like this will throw a wrench into McConnell ’ s plans .
Still , Republicans ended up confirming Brett Kavanaugh despite Christine Blasey Ford ’ s accusation that he sexually assaulted her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ denied ) , so the bar for a nomination-scuttling scandal here will surely be set quite high .
And even if a nomination is botched , depending on when it happens , Trump and Republicans could still have time to confirm someone else .
Other close Senate votes , such as the Obamacare effort , have been placed in jeopardy by health problems for certain senators , or by surprising special election results .
The point is that the future ’ s uncertain , so the longer the process takes , the better @ @ @ @ @ @ @ complicated calculus .
He wants to get a nominee confirmed , but he also wants to hold on to his Senate majority , and those two objectives could theoretically come into conflict .
The question here is what ’ s best for the vulnerable GOP senators facing tough reelection fights ?
Sens .
Martha McSally ( R-AZ ) and Thom Tillis ( R-NC ) have both said they want the current Senate to fill Ginsburg ’ s seat , but they haven ’ t said whether that should happen before or after the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) , trailing in every poll this year , hasn ’ t announced his position .
A pre-election vote could theoretically help mobilize Republican voters — but it could also energize Democrats in opposition .
The problem with waiting for the lame duck , for McConnell , would be that he doesn ’ t know what the post-election world will look like .
If Democrats win big , a hasty November vote to replace Ginsburg will look very ugly and likely encourage Democratic reprisals next year ( some in the party are musing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or pack the courts ) .
McConnell doesn ’ t even yet know how many Republican senators he ’ ll have throughout the whole lame duck .
Arizona ’ s race is a special election , and if McSally loses , her Democratic opponent will replace her shortly after the election results are certified , which could be at the end of November .
There ’ s also the Georgia special election for Kelly Loeffler ’ s seat , where polls show the vote split between two Republican and two Democratic candidates — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one Democrat to win the race with over 50 percent of the vote , which would avert a runoff , and mean the winner would be seated during the lame duck .
This would be a tall order considering the current state of the polling , but it ’ s not outright impossible .
Now , if McConnell is hell-bent on getting a nominee confirmed anyway , he can just make sure to hold the vote in November , before any special election winner is sworn in .
But still , it ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lessens his room for error and opens up the possibility that something can go wrong .
The problem is that acting before the election could lessen the chances that he ’ s still the majority leader next year .
Will you help keep Vox free for all ?
The United States is in the middle of one of the most consequential presidential elections of our lifetimes .
It ’ s essential that all Americans are able to access clear , concise information on what the outcome of the election could mean for their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ families and communities .
That is our mission at Vox .
But our distinctive brand of explanatory journalism takes resources .
Even when the economy and the news advertising market recovers , your support will be a critical part of sustaining our resource-intensive work .
If you have already contributed , thank you .
If you haven ’ t , please consider helping everyone understand this presidential election : Contribute today from as little as $ 3 .

Election Day is just over six weeks away. Can Senate Republicans hold a vote to replace Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg before then?
The short answer is yes, they can, if they — meaning, at least 50 Republican senators — want to.
In recent decades, the Supreme Court confirmation process — from nomination to the final vote — has lasted two to three months. Typically, this time is taken up by vetting of the nominee’s history, writings, and career, and then hearings in the Senate Judiciary Committee (which can last several days), before Senate leaders attempt to line up sufficient support for a floor vote.
But there’s no reason other than decorum that all this has to take so much time. If Republican senators are unconcerned about the appearances of an unseemly rush to a vote, they can certainly hold a quicker vote should they so desire.
Ginsburg herself was confirmed just six weeks after being nominated, though her nomination was uncontroversial and it wasn’t just before an election. President Trump says he plans to announce his nominee for Ginsburg’s seat on Friday or Saturday, which would leave five and a half weeks before election day — a shorter timeline, but not that much shorter.
Overall, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Republicans certainly can push a vote before the election if they want to do so. But McConnell will only choose to do this if he sees it as preferable to the other option (waiting until the lame-duck session), and if he can line up the votes for confirmation before then.
Democrats can use protest tactics, but there’s no magic procedural solution to thwart a determined Senate majority here
Of course, the Senate is famous for the ability of the minority to thwart the majority’s wishes, through the filibuster, which takes 60 votes to overcome. But Democrats changed the rules to dispense with that 60-vote requirement to advance most nominations back in 2013, and Republicans finished the job with their own rules change to let Supreme Court nominations be advanced by a simple majority in 2017.
So the minority no longer has its famous procedural tool to block action here. There are some remaining procedural moves that Democrats can make to delay things slightly, but they should be understood more as protest tactics than anything that could actually “stop” a confirmation that the majority wants.
For example, Democrats could boycott Senate Judiciary Committee chair Lindsey Graham’s (R-SC) hearings for the eventual nominee. That would deny the committee a quorum, which, under a strict interpretation of the rules, would mean they can’t act. However, Democrats have tried similar tactics with Graham’s committee in the past, and he has simply ignored the rules when they are inconvenient.
Others have pointed to the Senate rule requiring 51 senators for a quorum to conduct business. There are currently 53 Republican senators, meaning that three Republicans could vote no on a Supreme Court nominee and that nominee would still be confirmed by the other 50 Republicans and the tiebreaking vote of Vice President Mike Pence. However, former Senate aide Jeff Blattner points out that Pence does not count for purposes of establishing a quorum.
So the idea here is that if those three Republican senators join all Democrats in denying a quorum (by not answering or not being present when one is called), they could block a nomination vote from proceeding. However, the idea that any, let alone three, Republican senators will join Democrats in this highly unusual tactic to thwart their colleagues from even taking a vote seems fanciful. (Procedural extremism from the minority is generally not an effective tactic at winning over members of the majority, who tend to resent it.)
Finally, others have suggested that, more broadly, Democratic senators use their power to “grind everything to a halt” in the Senate by withholding the “unanimous consent” that the chamber runs on day to day. The problem here is that, to McConnell, this Supreme Court nomination effectively is “everything.” Filling this seat will be his top priority. Making other Senate business more inconvenient for him and Republicans might be an effective attention-getting stunt, but it certainly wouldn’t make him cave.
The big picture is that McConnell can essentially hold a vote on an eventual nomination whenever he wants to hold one. The only real constraints are whether he can line up 50 Republican senators for confirmation, and if so, how long that will take. (That’s not to say McConnell will hold a vote before the election — he may see it as in his party’s political interest to do it afterward.)
A pre-election vote or a lame-duck vote?
All this doesn’t mean the outcome is certain, but it does mean the outcome will be shaped more by politics than by procedural tricks or games.
As usual, the question is whether enough Republican senators will decide to stand by McConnell and Trump, or defect. So far Sens. Susan Collins (R-ME) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) have said the seat should be filled by the next president (even if there is a bit of wiggle room in their statements). But that’s not enough — two more defections would be necessary to block a nominee, and it’s unclear who they’d be.
Perhaps Democrats’ best hope is the window for confirmation is narrow enough that something — we don’t know yet what — may go wrong.
For instance, the time-honored way to derail a Supreme Court nomination is to unearth some scandal in the nominee’s background. It’s at least possible that something like this will throw a wrench into McConnell’s plans. Still, Republicans ended up confirming Brett Kavanaugh despite Christine Blasey Ford’s accusation that he sexually assaulted her as a teenager (an accusation Kavanaugh denied), so the bar for a nomination-scuttling scandal here will surely be set quite high. And even if a nomination is botched, depending on when it happens, Trump and Republicans could still have time to confirm someone else.
Other close Senate votes, such as the Obamacare effort, have been placed in jeopardy by health problems for certain senators, or by surprising special election results. The point is that the future’s uncertain, so the longer the process takes, the better for Democrats.
McConnell has a more complicated calculus. He wants to get a nominee confirmed, but he also wants to hold on to his Senate majority, and those two objectives could theoretically come into conflict.
The question here is what’s best for the vulnerable GOP senators facing tough reelection fights? Sens. Martha McSally (R-AZ) and Thom Tillis (R-NC) have both said they want the current Senate to fill Ginsburg’s seat, but they haven’t said whether that should happen before or after the election. Sen. Cory Gardner (R-CO), trailing in every poll this year, hasn’t announced his position. A pre-election vote could theoretically help mobilize Republican voters — but it could also energize Democrats in opposition.
The problem with waiting for the lame duck, for McConnell, would be that he doesn’t know what the post-election world will look like. If Democrats win big, a hasty November vote to replace Ginsburg will look very ugly and likely encourage Democratic reprisals next year (some in the party are musing about threatening to abolish the legislative filibuster or pack the courts).
McConnell doesn’t even yet know how many Republican senators he’ll have throughout the whole lame duck. Arizona’s race is a special election, and if McSally loses, her Democratic opponent will replace her shortly after the election results are certified, which could be at the end of November.
There’s also the Georgia special election for Kelly Loeffler’s seat, where polls show the vote split between two Republican and two Democratic candidates — theoretically, it would be possible for one Democrat to win the race with over 50 percent of the vote, which would avert a runoff, and mean the winner would be seated during the lame duck. This would be a tall order considering the current state of the polling, but it’s not outright impossible.
Now, if McConnell is hell-bent on getting a nominee confirmed anyway, he can just make sure to hold the vote in November, before any special election winner is sworn in. But still, it’s an added layer of complication that lessens his room for error and opens up the possibility that something can go wrong. The problem is that acting before the election could lessen the chances that he’s still the majority leader next year.


vox--2020-09-21--Your guide to getting into Schitt’s Creek, this year’s Emmys comedy darling

The first half of Sunday night ’ s Primetime Emmy Awards might as well have been named the Schitt ’ s Creek awards .
The Canadian sitcom swept cleanly through all seven categories it was eligible for during the televised ceremony , including Best Comedy Series , making it the first comedy in Emmys history to pull off such a feat .
It was a classic Emmys move : In one fell swoop , the Television Academy ( which oversees the Emmys ) turned a comedy that could have been accurately described as under-the-radar for most of its six-season run @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , to the point that you could see the backlash building in real time .
“ Oh , no , the internet hates me now , ” said Dan Levy , Schitt ’ s Creek showrunner and star and understander of the internet , during one of his many acceptance speeches .
But there ’ s a good reason Schitt ’ s Creek walked away with the comedy portion of the evening .
Its seven Emmys weren ’ t just recognition for the show ’ s quirky-sweet joke construction and its cast ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sixth and final season .
At least in part , those awards were “ thank you for getting us through quarantine ” Emmys , because there is perhaps no show in 2020 that is better suited for making the overwhelming boredom and fear of long days spent at home turn bearable .
The premise of Schitt ’ s Creek is that the wealthy Rose family has lost everything in a tax scandal .
As the show begins , the Roses are relocating to their sole remaining asset : Schitt ’ s Creek , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a joke .
There , they proceed to move themselves into a cramped and dingy motel suite , where they live out the next six seasons struggling at first to escape and then to make the best of their new lives .
What that means is that Schitt ’ s Creek is about a family whose large , open , luxurious world suddenly becomes narrow and circumscribed and difficult to live in .
The fantasy the show offers is that the Roses manage to find warmth and meaning and love within their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and in the middle of quarantine , that fantasy is extremely , deeply welcome .
It ’ s “ binge the show twice in a row and maybe start reading some fanfic ” welcome .
It ’ s “ here are seven Emmys plus two more from the Creative Arts ceremony ” welcome .
But if you are interested in firing up Netflix , where all six seasons of Schitt ’ s Creek are streaming , to experience this pop culture comfort food for yourself , you ’ re going to need to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to experience Schitt ’ s Creek is to start from the beginning .
A guide to watching simply the best parts of Schitt ’ s Creek In its first season , most of Schitt ’ s Creek ’ s jokes are an off-putting combination of the Roses being snobbish and awful and the Schitt ’ s Creek townspeople being gross and crass .
The whole thing is just terrible people being terrible , but not in an insightful Succession-y way , and there ’ s not that much fun to mine from it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you are already committed to watching the whole show , then you may start at season one , but I would strongly recommend making it a “ play in the background while you do chores ” show for the early going .
Otherwise , just skip it .
You ’ re smart , Schitt ’ s Creek has a pretty basic premise , and you ’ ll be absolutely fine figuring out what ’ s going on if you start later on in the run .
If you are willing to stick with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you can start at the beginning of season two .
That ’ s the point at which the gross-out comedy starts to fall away and the Roses ’ snobbishness starts to acquire some purpose and some direction .
The show is still a little unfocused , but the talent of the cast has started to shine through .
But the point at which Schitt ’ s Creek acquires its true statement of purpose is in its season two finale , “ Happy Anniversary.
” That ’ s when the Roses commit to making @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Creek .
It ’ s also when you can see the show palpably decide to stop being about terrible people and start being about terrible people who are earnestly trying to be good .
There are still a few weaker episodes throughout the rest of the series , but by the end of season two , Schitt ’ s Creek has finally found a direction and a voice , and the characters are all rock solid .
Which means you can start with “ Happy Anniversary ” and experience the best @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just a few off-notes sprinkled in occasionally .
But if you are short on time and demand only the best from your comfort watching , then skip ahead to the middle of season three and start with “ General Store.
” That episode kicks off one of the show ’ s most rewarding storylines , and it marks the point at which bad episodes stop happening .
What lies ahead from “ General Store ” includes one of TV ’ s sweetest love stories , Catherine O ’ Hara repeatedly saying “ bébé @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wigs , and the pure joy of watching Annie Murphy pretending to be a sexy baby helicopter as she performs her character ’ s critically reviewed single “ A Little Bit Alexis.
” It ’ s a celebration of love and family and finding the best in the worst of times .
It ’ s exactly the kind of TV that can bring a little bit of warmth and light into a very dark year .
And it ’ s all right there on Netflix waiting for you .
Help keep Vox free @ @ @ @ @ @ @ month to understand what ’ s happening in the news , from the coronavirus crisis to a racial reckoning to what is , quite possibly , the most consequential presidential election of our lifetimes .
Our mission has never been more vital than it is in this moment : to empower you through understanding .
But our distinctive brand of explanatory journalism takes resources .
Even when the economy and the news advertising market recovers , your support will be a critical part of sustaining our resource-intensive work .
If you have already @ @ @ @ @ @ @ haven ’ t , please consider helping everyone make sense of an increasingly chaotic world : Contribute today from as little as $ 3 .

On Sunday night, the beloved Canadian sitcom Schitt’s Creek won the Golden Globe for Best TV Series — Comedy or Musical, in what became the final honor of the show’s victory lap. After finishing up its sixth and final season in April of 2020, Schitt’s Creek won all seven Emmys it was nominated for that September, including Best Comedy Series. Sunday’s Golden Globe wins (which included a nod for Catherine O’Hara as Best Supporting Actress in a TV Series) only cemented the narrative: Schitt’s Creek was 2020’s biggest sitcom.
And there’s a good reason Schitt’s Creek has walked away with so many comedy accolades. Its seven Emmys and two Golden Globes aren’t just recognition for the show’s quirky-sweet joke construction and its cast’s rock-solid central comedic performances in the sixth and final season. At least in part, those awards are “thank you for getting us through quarantine” awards, because there is perhaps no show that is better suited for making the overwhelming boredom and fear of long days spent at home turn bearable.
The premise of Schitt’s Creek is that the wealthy Rose family has lost everything in a tax scandal. As the show begins, the Roses are relocating to their sole remaining asset: Schitt’s Creek, a small town they purchased years ago as a joke. There, they proceed to move themselves into a cramped and dingy motel suite, where they live out the next six seasons struggling at first to escape and then to make the best of their new lives.
What that means is that Schitt’s Creek is about a family whose large, open, luxurious world suddenly becomes narrow and circumscribed and difficult to live in. The fantasy the show offers is that the Roses manage to find warmth and meaning and love within their new, much more confined surroundings, and in the middle of quarantine, that fantasy is extremely, deeply welcome. It’s “binge the show twice in a row and maybe start reading some fanfic” welcome. It’s “here are seven Emmys plus two more from the Creative Arts ceremony and then another two Golden Globes a year later” welcome.
But if you are interested in firing up Netflix, where all six seasons of Schitt’s Creek are streaming, to experience this pop culture comfort food for yourself, you’re going to need to strategize. Because maybe the worst way to experience Schitt’s Creek is to start from the beginning.
A guide to watching simply the best parts of Schitt’s Creek
In its first season, most of Schitt’s Creek’s jokes are an off-putting combination of the Roses being snobbish and awful and the Schitt’s Creek townspeople being gross and crass. The whole thing is just terrible people being terrible, but not in an insightful Succession-y way, and there’s not that much fun to mine from it.
If you are a completist and you are already committed to watching the whole show, then you may start at season one, but I would strongly recommend making it a “play in the background while you do chores” show for the early going. Otherwise, just skip it. You’re smart, Schitt’s Creek has a pretty basic premise, and you’ll be absolutely fine figuring out what’s going on if you start later on in the run.
If you are willing to stick with it through some moderate growing pains, you can start at the beginning of season two. That’s the point at which the gross-out comedy starts to fall away and the Roses’ snobbishness starts to acquire some purpose and some direction. The show is still a little unfocused, but the talent of the cast has started to shine through.
But the point at which Schitt’s Creek acquires its true statement of purpose is in its season two finale, “Happy Anniversary.” That’s when the Roses commit to making the most of their time in Schitt’s Creek. It’s also when you can see the show palpably decide to stop being about terrible people and start being about terrible people who are earnestly trying to be good. There are still a few weaker episodes throughout the rest of the series, but by the end of season two, Schitt’s Creek has finally found a direction and a voice, and the characters are all rock solid.
Which means you can start with “Happy Anniversary” and experience the best of Schitt’s Creek, with just a few off-notes sprinkled in occasionally. But if you are short on time and demand only the best from your comfort watching, then skip ahead to the middle of season three and start with “General Store.” That episode kicks off one of the show’s most rewarding storylines, and it marks the point at which bad episodes stop happening.
What lies ahead from “General Store” includes one of TV’s sweetest love stories, Catherine O’Hara repeatedly saying “bébé” in a truly ridiculous assortment of wigs, and the pure joy of watching Annie Murphy pretending to be a sexy baby helicopter as she performs her character’s critically reviewed single “A Little Bit Alexis.” It’s a celebration of love and family and finding the best in the worst of times. It’s exactly the kind of TV that can bring a little bit of warmth and light into a very dark year.
And it’s all right there on Netflix waiting for you.