Each week, we bring you a collection of the most viewed stories from The Daily Brew, condensed. Here are the top stories from the week of June 5-June 9.
Biden issued two executive orders in May on sanctions and coronavirus vaccine requirements
President Joe Biden (D) issued two executive orders in May, bringing his total to 115. President Donald Trump (R) had issued 109 executive orders at this point, President Barack Obama (D) had issued 86, and President George W. Bush (R) had issued 110.
The two orders he issued last month were:
- Executive Order on Moving Beyond COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements for Federal Workers (May 9, 2023)
- Executive Order on Imposing Sanctions on Certain Persons Destabilizing Sudan and Undermining the Goal of a Democratic Transition (May 4, 2023)
Marijuana legalization on Florida’s 2024 ballot pending state supreme court review
On June 1, state officials in Florida confirmed that Smart & Safe Florida, a campaign supporting a ballot initiative to legalize marijuana in the state, had submitted enough valid signatures to qualify for the 2024 ballot.
This measure would amend the state’s constitution to legalize marijuana for adults 21 years and older and allow the possession of up to three ounces of marijuana. If approved, Florida would become the 24th state to legalize marijuana for recreational usage.
Whether the measure goes before voters next year depends on an upcoming state supreme court review required for all proposed initiatives under Florida law.
Eight states have withdrawn from the Electronic Registration Information Center (ERIC); Texas could become the ninth
A group of state election officials established the Electronic Registration Information Center (ERIC) in 2012 with financial assistance from the Pew Charitable Trusts. A multi-state voter list maintenance nonprofit, ERIC says its mission is “to help states improve the accuracy of America’s voter rolls, increase access to voter registration for all eligible citizens, reduce election costs, and increase efficiencies in elections.”
States that join ERIC agree to share their voter registration and licensing and identification data from motor vehicle departments every 60 days. ERIC compiles this data and issues a series of voter list maintenance reports.
At its height, 33 states were participating members in ERIC. The country’s four most populous states broke in different directions when it came to joining the organization—California and New York never joined while Florida and Texas did.
Louisiana became the first state to officially resign its membership in ERIC in July 2022. Seven other states, all with Republican governors, have withdrawn since. The Texas legislature recently sent a bill that would withdraw that state from the organization to Gov. Greg Abbott (R), which, if signed, would make Texas the ninth state to withdraw.