View in browser

We help journalists cover elections.

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.

Upcoming sessions

You're invited! Free and open to your colleagues, too. Spread the word.

How to reach young and first-time voters

When: Monday, Sep. 21, 2020 at 04:00 PM in Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Young and first-time voters will be critical for this election cycle. Join Vote.org’s Chief of Staff Najaah Daniels to learn:

How to reach a critical audience of young and new voters
Ways new and young voters can get-out-the-vote and help others do the same
How you can use Vote.org online tools in your newsroom

Register here

What we’re reading:

Facebook’s Political Ad Ban Also Threatens Ability to Spread Accurate Information on How to Vote - ProPublica

Facebook has announced that it will halt political ads seven days before the election. On the surface, this looks like a win in the fight against misinformation, but the move has election officials around the world worried. Ads purchased by election officials are part of the ban, and they use Facebook to communicate with voters. Read more from ProPublica’s Electionland team on how the removal of a major communication tool before an unprecedented election will impact voters.

Capitol Recap: Judge gives Georgia voters more time to mail ballots - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

A federal judge in Georgia has given residents in the state more time to send in their absentee ballots. The ruling allows ballots to be counted as long as they have been postmarked by November 3 and delivered up to three days after. Read more from the AJC’s Jim Denery on how this will impact vote counting and the delivery of election results.

In Year of Voting by Mail, a Scramble to Beef Up In-Person Voting, Too - The New York Times

Voting by mail has been dominating the news as millions of Americans navigate an unprecedented election. But across the country, elections officials are preparing for the millions who still plan to vote in person. Read more from The New York Times on how people across the country are stepping up efforts to hire poll workers, turn stadiums and arenas into polling locations, and prepare for a potential second wave of COVID-19 in the fall.

In battlegrounds, absentee ballot rejections could triple - The Associated Press

Absentee ballots are rejected in every presidential election, but this November a problem that has festered for years could significantly worsen. The Associated Press analyzed rejected ballots and found that up to three times as many voters could be disenfranchised this year in battleground states.

Reporting resources:

Apply for immediate election project funds or coverage support - The American Press Institute

The American Press Institute is offering micro-grants ranging from $2,000 to $10,000 and free expert support to news organizations seeking to strengthen their Election 2020 coverage. Their goal is to support efforts that promote communities’ understanding of how to vote and address mis- and disinformation at the local level. They encourage you to get creative and to submit an application even if your idea isn’t fully formed! The deadline to apply is Sept. 14, 11:59 p.m. ET.

Providing nuanced information to voters to address voting disparities and difficulties - The American Press Institute

This year voters will need clear and concise information on how to vote during a pandemic, especially as waves of misinformation flood several communication platforms. The American Press Institute has a list of questions journalists should think about when guiding their coverage.

Reporting Recipe: How to Report on Voting by Mail - ProPublica

More Americans are expected to vote by mail this year than at any point in the country’s history, so what should reporters be thinking about when covering it? ProPublica’s Electionland team has some steps reporters can take to make sure they’re ready to cover this part of the voting process.

Source of the week

Katherine Kramer, Professor of Political Science at The University of Wisconsin Madison. Expert in Civic and Liberal Education, Political Participation, Voting Behavior, and more.

In case you missed it

Election officials and their capacity to serve voters: storylines

Did you miss our last session with Democracy Fund's Tammy Patrick? If so, no worries. Check on her slide deck or video of her presentation here.

Election SOS Switchboard

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 the Election SOS Switchboard. Did we mention that Hearken Consulting Team is also available to answer your questions?

Join The Election SOS Switchboard

What type of training of information do you want Election SOS to cover?

Hit up our suggestion box here.

Were you forwarded this email? Subscribe Here