ELECTION NIGHTREPORTING AND MAKING SENSE

OF THE DECISIONS VOTERS MAKE

DON’T SELL YOURSELF,OR YOUR READERS, SHORT

Make a commitment to do as much as you can throughout Election Day and on Election Night.

You’ve got that website. Use it.

Don’t cede the news to the competition. Be first, and be comprehensive.

Create a memorable print edition.

WHAT SHOULD WE BE TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH?

To share the voices of voters.

WHAT SHOULD WE BE TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH?

To share the voices of voters.

To update results and publish final numbers as quickly as possible, online and in print.

WHAT SHOULD WE BE TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH?

To share the voices of voters.

To update results and publish final numbers as quickly as possible, online and in print.

To capture the drama and engage in real story-telling.

WHAT SHOULD WE BE TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH?

To share the voices of voters.

To update results and publish final numbers as quickly as possible, online and in print.

To capture the drama and engage in real story-telling.

To take excellent documentary photos.

WHAT SHOULD WE BE TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH?

To share the voices of voters.

To update results and publish final numbers as quickly as possible, online and in print.

To capture the drama and engage in real story-telling.

To take excellent documentary photos.

To engage in forward-thinking journalism.

PLANNING FOR ELECTION NIGHT

Get everyone on board. (Hire help, if necessary.)

PLANNING FOR ELECTION NIGHT

Get everyone on board. (Hire help, if necessary.)

Learn where candidates will be ahead of time.

PLANNING FOR ELECTION NIGHT

Get everyone on board. (Hire help, if necessary.)

Learn where candidates will be ahead of time.

Decide where photographers should go.

PLANNING FOR ELECTION NIGHT

Get everyone on board. (Hire help, if necessary.)

Learn where candidates will be ahead of time.

Decide where photographers should go.

Create a precise and thorough budget.

PLANNING FOR ELECTION NIGHT

Get everyone on board. (Hire help, if necessary.)

Learn where candidates will be ahead of time.

Decide where photographers should go.

Create a precise and thorough budget.

Pre-write, pre-write, pre-write — then pre-edit.

PLANNING FOR ELECTION NIGHT

Get everyone on board. (Hire help, if necessary.)

Learn where candidates will be ahead of time.

Decide where photographers should go.

Create a precise and thorough budget.

Pre-write, pre-write, pre-write — then pre-edit.

Consider non-narrative templates.

WORKING THE POLLS

Ground rules.

Engage in conversation, not interrogation.

Learn to have a thick skin; be polite and professional.

Exit surveys?

EXAMPLES: PRINT & ONLINE

EXAMPLES: PRINT & ONLINE

EXAMPLES: ONLINE

Results graphics

Mapping election results

precinct by precinct

can reveal interesting

patterns.