Covering Elections as a Journalist: 8 Article Ideas to Get You Started
Political coverage naturally dominates the news headlines during election season, and stories about presidential candidates and national issues are abundant. As freelance journalists and writers this is a great time for you to also consider pitching and writing politically themed articles.
In a previous post, I discussed the role of journalism in politics and how election coverage has changed in the digital era. Here I’ll offer some ideas on how to tackle the election from slightly different angles, choosing regional topics and perspectives often neglected by the mainstream.
But first, I’d like to point out some glaring problems with the legacy news media’s recent approach to election coverage.
The 2020 election cycle marked a significant turning point in political journalism. I’ve covered every US general election since 2000 and have never before witnessed a presidential race where one candidate received so little scrutiny from the press, managing to escape tough, challenging questions that would ordinarily have been asked. In contrast, reporting of his opponent appeared disproportionately negative.
Whichever way you spin it, whatever side you support, and whether deserved or not, this is by no means balanced or fair journalistic coverage.
Many see this skewed reporting fueled more by the monetary benefits of ‘outrage porn’ than just pure partisan bias. “The media’s obsession with Trump is no mystery,” says Thomas E. Patterson, of the Harvard Kennedy School, in his December 2020 paper, A Tale of Two Elections. “No politician of recent times has so steadily supplied the controversy and novelty that journalists seek in their news stories and that audiences relish.”
Politics can be off-putting and tedious to many people, but recent elections have been undoubtedly fascinating, a must-see if you like. But a journalist’s job is not to entertain (although that is an element of any kind of storytelling), and they shouldn’t inject their personal views in a piece, however subtle. Their primary role is to inform the public of the electoral process, from primaries through election day.
And I feel the intelligentsia are wrong to underestimate the public, who are growing weary of a mainstream media staggeringly out of touch with ordinary people’s concerns. With a constant stream of partisan bickering and personality politics, many crave material with more substance and relevance to their lives.
Public trust in the news media is at an all-time low, and this is why so many are switching off the nightly news and looking elsewhere for information.
People also feel let down by politicians on every level. According to a PEW research report in 2023, more than 80 percent of Americans say most elected officials don’t care what people like them think, and this applies across all demographics
These are harsh indictments of politicians and the industry that reports on them.
The real journalism work comes through reporting events that matter to everyone, regardless of where they live or what they believe. People want to feel heard and their concerns acknowledged. They do not need journalists to think for them and don’t want endless hit pieces. They just require the bare facts, so they can make informed decisions on election day. And we must remember there are other races and issues on the ballot, on both local and state levels. It’s not all about the battle for president.
News reporters do their best work when they stick to the simple who, what, when, where, why, and how of the story, and cut out the snark, bias, and opinion.
And as a final note on this issue, fairness, balance, and accuracy should be the guiding principles of any type of journalism, especially election coverage since it could very well sway public opinion and can decide elections. Equal time laws exist for a reason and should also be adhered to.
Without these guidelines media outlets can become the mouthpiece of governments and then we’re in dangerous territory.
That being said, let’s focus on how we can provide value through covering elections from a different angle. There are so many other candidates ‘down ticket’ that get little to no airtime, and important issues that go unnoticed. They may not be headline grabbers or clickbait fodder, but the public want to know what’s going on outside the presidential race, and they want to hear from their local representatives, so they can address the real problems and be held accountable.
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Here are a few article ideas to get you started.
1. Ballot Measures
Check the statewide ballot measures database to see what measures, whether initiated by legislators or citizens, are certified to appear on the ballot in your state. These are great resources for article ideas that you can tackle from many angles in various formats. Ballot measures this year range from raising the minimum wage for tipped workers to citizenship requirement for voting.
Another great resource is Ballotpedia.
2. Down Ticket or Down Ballot Candidates
Who else is on the ballot in your district? How much coverage are local elections receiving? This would be a great opportunity to interview your local candidates, their supporters, and their detractors. You could write profile pieces on each candidate, a feature, news piece, or any other type of article.
3. Hot-button Issues
What issues are prevalent in your area this election season? Check out local newspapers, websites, and Facebook community pages to see what people are discussing. Is it the economy? Over development? Immigration?
4. Conduct Your Own Poll With Person on the Street Interviews
One question you can ask in vox pops or person on the street interviews, is simply: What issues are important to you this election year? And a follow-up could be, are these issues being adequately addressed?
You could also ask why so many citizens feel unheard and their concerns dismissed, by both elected officials and legacy journalists. You can cite sources, such as the PEW study previously mentioned when asking such questions.
5. Listicles
Numbered listicles are a great way to pack a lot of vital information in short, easy to read paragraphs. You can choose just about any topic, from “5 Worst Presidential Candidates” to “10 Important Facts About the General Election.” Or you can write something more relevant and specific to your region.
6. Attend a Political Rally
Cover a political rally or event. Interview supporters, ask challenging questions, and get the viewpoints of any protestors present. Always follow up with asking the whys. Why do you think that? Why do you support this candidate? How is he/she helping your community?
Unless you have a press pass and are representing a network or publication, you probably won’t get in with the press corps. But you can always attend as a member of the public, record the event, and write an article about your findings. Arrive early so you can find a parking spot and get in line, as these events fill up fast. Wear comfortable shoes and bring water, as you’ll be standing for a long time. Political rallies inevitably run longer than advertised.
7. Analyze polls and research surveys
Visit sites like Pewresearch.org, search the topics, and use the results as a peg for an article. You can also compare previous studies with current trends. If you’re interested in writing about local journalism for example and its effects on voting, check out this PEW survey.
8. Speak your mind
Okay, if you feel like unloading, write a personal essay or opinion piece about a political candidate, a hot button issue, or politics in general. Have at it but remember to always back up your arguments with careful analysis and facts. You want this to be an organized and well-argued piece, not an emotional rant.
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Resources
https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2024/04/30/more-than-80-of-americans-believe-elected-officials-dont-care-what-people-like-them-think/https://www.rcfp.org/resources/election-legal-guide/#ballot-selfieshttps://www.pewresearch.org/journalism/2020/01/24/u-s-media-polarization-and-the-2020-election-a-nation-divided/