Election Overtime

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As an election reporter, you need a new level of support.

Most elections are decided by clear margins and thus generate little controversy. These undisputed victories are why, historically, journalists could largely ignore election mechanics. At one time, great reporters could focus primarily on the drama of the people and politics of the race. However, increasingly, elections are contested and headed to the courts. Or worried voters post information that may -- or may not -- be accurate about election administration. Preliminary results may -- or may not -- be available on election night. And election coverage may may go on for days or even weeks.

As a reporter today, you'll need a deep understanding of the rules of “election overtime.”

Compare to sports: Sports fans love it when a game goes in to overtime. It adds to the excitement and, because they know the rules, fans accept the final score even when their team loses. Voters more information about elections, so they understand the rules and know when to accept election results, even if they are disappointed.

Absent this type of election reporting, concerns about a lack of fairness can multiply, or false assertions can be weaponized into widespread misinformation. And when races are contested, voters are particularly in the dark about legal procedures. For example, it is not intuitive that an election can only be “proven flawed” if evidence proves that wrongdoing affected more votes than the margin of victory.

As a journalist, you play a critical role in these historic moments. Rather than leaning into attention-grabbing headlines, you can advance public trust through careful attention to rules and laws. This approach may be essential to civil peace and preservation of trust in democracy.

A solution: Election Overtime project

Election Reformers Network has created the Election Overtime Project with support of The Bridge Alliance, The Carter Center, The Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation, and other organizations. The project aims to support a wide array of election journalists -- from print reporters to TV anchors to news bloggers -- as they prepare for close and contested elections. Following a successful pilot program in 2022, the program will focus on seven key states for 2024 and include:

State-specific guides for reporters, focused on covering close and contested elections
Media briefings led by experts in election law, election court cases, and court reporting
National and local speaker recommendations for informed commentary
Litigation monitoring, if races review judicial involvement
An ‘Election Overtime’ series of news and commentary in The Fulcrum, a "solutions journalism" publication focused on American governance

Details journalists need, at their fingertips

This guide is designed to help journalists like you prepare for the unique challenges of election overtime. We focus on three pillars that anchor an election’s trustworthiness: transparency, verification of results, and judicial review.

3 Pillars for Reporting on Trusted Elections

#1. Assuring Voters on Transparency

Visibility is built into election systems in many ways, and most phases of voting and vote counting can be watched by representatives of the contesting parties.

#2. Understanding Verification Processes

Election results are subject to multiple rechecks required by law, including canvassing, audits, and automatic recounts when margins are below certain levels.

#3. Communicating Judicial Procedures

Candidates or groups of voters have the right to contest results in court, where evidence can be weighted and final judgements rendered.

Understanding these pillars is important, because elections are a massive undertaking and, yes, mistakes can happen. It’s also possible that unprincipled individuals could attempt to infiltrate or manipulate an election to help one side win. But election systems based on the three pillars above provide administrators, judges, and candidates with tools needed to counter these vulnerabilities even in the closest elections.

Voters will rely on journalists for full and accurate coverage of these processes. We hope this guide helps you answer that call.

MORE INFO: There are additional excellent resources that address election nuts and bolts. Rather than duplicate efforts, we link to those materials throughout this site and under Resources.