Election coverage: Go beyond votes and quotes

Countdown is underway for Election Night. Newsrooms should ensure they are the go-to source for timely and relevant coverage. In short, take steps to go beyond the proverbial “votes and quotes.”

By Jim Pumarlo , Consultant

Readers have any number of online sites to get the latest tallies. Staffs should brainstorm coverage in the broadest view – what’s deliverable the next day and then a more comprehensive analysis in successive days and even weeks. Consider outside resources to supplement reporting.

Here is one checklist to consider.

Decide criteria for pursuing comments from winners and losers. Not all races necessitate the obligatory statements from winners and losers, especially if results were widely predicted.

Be prepared for surprises. Was an especially popular incumbent ousted? Do races require an automatic recount?

Localize national and state stories. Explaining the hows and whys of local results should be your prime focus. In addition, a local twist can make statewide stories more meaningful. For example, does a local race have a statewide impact, such as affecting which party controls a particular legislative body? Produce simple but substantive graphics for a quick look at how local voters split on statewide candidates in comparison with statewide percentages.

How did bellwether precincts perform? Political parties and pollsters monitor representative precincts. Returns often enable the experts to “call” elections. Identify these key precincts; were results consistent with previous elections?

Explore features: Don’t forget about opportunities for feature stories, interviews that can be done in advance. Are any lawmakers retiring, or did they lose in a primary runoff? What will they be doing election night? What advice do they have for the newly elected? Nearly every community has longtime election judges – a natural feature especially as election integrity has come under scrutiny.

The most comprehensive coverage is a two-step process. All angles and analyses cannot be generated for the election edition. Consider these ideas for continuing coverage.

Examine national trends: Midterm elections often see the president’s party lose seats in Congress. Many people view this year’s election – even in statewide and local races – as a referendum on President Trump. Did local results send a unified or mixed message?

Scrutinize variety of factors. Were local legislative results part of a statewide or national wave? Did changing demographics have an impact? Were voters looking for fresh faces? Were some candidates and campaigns simply more energized? Was there a common theme among the winning candidates, such as, “Hold the line on spending.” There are several ways to take a deeper look at outcomes.

Voter turnout is a made-to-order story. Compare local numbers with statewide patterns. Was turnout markedly up or down from the previous election? Did specific issues spur more interest?

Enlist individuals to analyze results. National network coverage invariably includes “expert” commentary. Elder statesmen or high-ranking party officials frequently analyze votes. Community newspapers can have a panel of analysts, too. Think about a retired public official, an incumbent who chose not to seek re-election or a political science professor at an area university. Newspapers also might identify rank-and-file citizens who represent a cross-section of the community and have them weigh in on results. Identify and contact them in advance for reports to run a week after election results.

Explore point/counterpoint columns for editorial page: Many communities have referendums on a variety of issues. You’ll likely seek comments from campaign chairs for the “Vote Yes” and “Vote No” committees for immediate reports. Go a step further and have the respective chairs weigh in on why they think a referendum succeeded or failed. Publish them side-by-side, and you’ll likely generate letters to the editor.

Analyze makeup of governing bodies: Elections can produce new voting blocs and change in governing dynamics. That may be easily noticed when individuals run on a party label. It’s less evident in nonpartisan contests. Reporters who regularly cover these bodies are in excellent position to analyze the changes and preview what might be in store.

This is but one list to delve deeper into election results. Invite your entire newspaper family to brainstorm stories. You’re certain to come up with more ideas community specific.

Lay the groundwork now for expanded coverage. Staffs have toiled many weeks churning out stories to help voters make informed choices. Put as much effort into putting an exclamation point on what the results really mean.

Jim Pumarlo is former editor of the Red Wing (Minn.) Republican Eagle. He writes, speaks and provides training on community newsroom success strategies. He is author of “Journalism Primer: A Guide to Community News Coverage” “and other books. He can be reached and welcomes comments and questions at jim@pumarlo.com.