Claims that Democrats’ 2026 midterm gains put them in position to abolish the Electoral College are overstated. Democrats won both legislative chambers and the governorships in Arizona, Michigan, Nevada, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. Together, those states control enough electoral votes to push the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact past its 270-vote threshold if they join. The compact already includes 18 states and Washington, D.C., representing 222 electoral votes. Once it reaches the threshold, participating states would award all their electors to the candidate who wins the nationwide popular vote, rather than the candidate who wins each state.
That arrangement would change how participating states allocate electoral votes, but it would not eliminate the Electoral College. Abolishing the system would require a constitutional amendment: approval by two-thirds of both houses of Congress and ratification by three-quarters of the states. The compact is designed to avoid that demanding process, relying on states’ authority to determine how their electors are chosen. Its legal viability is uncertain, however. The Constitution’s Compact Clause says states need congressional consent to enter agreements with one another, and some legal experts argue that the popular-vote compact may require that approval. Thus, even if the five states adopt it and the compact reaches 270 electoral votes, legal challenges could prevent or delay it from taking effect.
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The EU’s new Return Regulation expands the grounds and duration for immigration detention, including for children, and increases deportations. Critics warn that surveillance-based alternatives and externalization measures extend coercive migration controls beyond detention centers. (statewatch.org)
Former PlayStation boss Shawn Layden says the PS6 should prioritize affordability over more processing power, arguing a $300 console would be real innovation. He says rising console prices are shutting out buyers and Sony should focus on making hardware smaller and cheaper. (gamesradar.com)
EyesRhythm is an offline desktop app that uses a webcam to track blink rate and regularity, then offers gentle reminders and practice exercises. It also tracks head movement to encourage neck breaks, while keeping video on the device. (eyesrhythm.com)
Satellite images show Iran building new facilities near the Garmdareh and Shahroud missile bases and repairing damage at at least 12 other military sites. The work follows months of US and Israeli air strikes, according to analysts who reviewed the images. (bbc.com)
Stunt Car Racer’s computer opponents use three spring-mounted wheels to follow the track and cannot fall off. Drivers share the same engine but differ in their habits and swerving frequency; the AI also adjusts its speed and position around the player. (gamesexplained.com)
GeoWorks was a graphical operating system for PC-compatible computers that competed with Microsoft Windows in the 1990s. It offered a desktop interface on relatively modest hardware but failed to gain broad adoption as Windows became dominant. (atlasobscura.com)
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