The Election SOS newsletter is a dedicated resource for journalists covering the 2020 election. Here, we update you on our upcoming programming, share our favorite election-related stories, and provide critical resources to help with your coverage as we move closer to November.
"Context over Conflict"
As tensions rise and the countdown to Nov. 3rd has dropped to single digits, we want you to keep this mantra in the forefront of your coverage. Write it on a whiteboard, pin it in your Slack channel, and use our free resources to better support democracy and the public. With tensions high, the more conflict that's reported on without context, the more conflict that will be generated.
Scenario Planning Guide version 2 is live!
Have you thought through how your coverage might impact people's sense of security and calm? Do you have protocols and plans in place for unique threats ahead?
We have updated our Scenario Planning Guide, a customizable template packed with resources to help newsrooms prepare. Here is what's new:
A YouTube comment for this workshop reads: "It's the one video that could save the country." If this won't convince you to watch this critical webinar, we don't know what will.
Our pitch database is here to provide you with fresh story ideas every day! Spread the word and bookmark the page to always have great audience-first ideas at your editorial meetings.
Away from the polls, police departments are planning to have more officers on hand on Election Day, especially in cities that saw unrest over the summer. Confrontations with police have continued into the fall in cities such as Portland, Seattle and New York, where roving groups of people are still committing politically motivated vandalism.
First-Time Voters Want to Have a Say in Our Country’s Future - The Nation It’s been a rough few years to be a young person in America. For those of us who were too young to vote in 2016, we’ve had to live through the administration of a president that none of us chose as it inflamed racial tensions, backed out of climate accords, and undid protections for queer and trans people. For the millions of first-time voters this year, this election is about more than picking the next president; it’s about staking a claim on the future of this country.
The harsh reality is that, fewer than two weeks before the presidential election, the battle against electoral disinformation has also turned into a fight against attempts to slander Donald Trump and Joe Biden. Both candidates have been targeted on a personal level, especially among the Hispanic community.
Robocalls About Warrants, Lies About Absentee Ballots, and Other Disinformation Targeting Black Voters Ahead of Election Day - The Root With days to go until election day, there are increasing signs of voter disinformation and suppression tactics targeting Black and Latino voters. Just this past week in Florida, numerous voters in a heavily-Democrat county received disturbing emails that threatened them if they don’t vote for President Trump. Now organizers in battleground states like Florida, Michigan, and Georgia are sounding the alarm that such scare tactics are likely to intensify in the coming week, and are flagging voters of color to recognize the misinformation as such.
Our friends at PEN America have curated a comprehensive Reporters Guide ahead of the upcoming election. The three-part guide features tips on everything from using social media thoughtfully to debunking misinformation by providing facts and content.
Vote curing, or “fixing” one’s ballot so it is counted looks to be a lingering issue on and around Election Day. Check out vote curing strategies from Democracy Fund’s Tammy Patrick, a former election administrator, like signed affidavits to submitting your identification using your mobile phone.
Our friends at VotingWorks, a non-partisan non-profit focused on voting technology, have put together two guides that delve into the election process once the polls close and ensuring a candidate actually won through risk-limiting audits.
Election SOS Fellows Reporting Highlights:
Thanks to generous support from our funders, we've matched 39 fellows to support 20 newsrooms in battleground states. Check out the great work they're doing.
Potential voters who are not registered yet can no longer register to vote by mail or online; the postmark deadline has passed. Instead, they will need to visit their local clerk’s office with proof of residency to fill out their voter application there.
In Michigan, there are 110 seats in the House of Representatives, and elected officials run every two years. This voter guide offers information on districts that represent West Michigan and who is competing in those races.
Treasure Coast voters will begin casting ballots in person — or dropping off their mail ballots — during the two-week early voting period that begins today. Learn when and where to vote.
Election Relief:
Here is a little something that IS NOT election related to brighten up your Monday.
Do you want to connect with other journalists covering elections to get tips, ideas, and share your insights? Then take 2 minutes right now and sign up for theElection SOS Switchboard. Did we mention that Hearken Consulting Team is also available to answer your questions?
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