scott swafford, covering election night
DESCRIPTION
Reynolds Fellow Scott Swafford spoke about how to cover election day and night at RJI's "Down-home Democracy: Empowering Citizens With Outstanding Coverage of Local Elections" on Saturday, Feb. 1, 2014.TRANSCRIPT
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ELECTION NIGHTREPORTING AND MAKING SENSE
OF THE DECISIONS VOTERS MAKE
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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.
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WHAT SHOULD WE BE TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH?
To share the voices of voters.
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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.
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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.
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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.
![Page 7: Scott Swafford, Covering election night](https://reader036.vdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022062617/54c8fc404a79592c068b45ad/html5/thumbnails/7.jpg)
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.
![Page 8: Scott Swafford, Covering election night](https://reader036.vdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022062617/54c8fc404a79592c068b45ad/html5/thumbnails/8.jpg)
PLANNING FOR ELECTION NIGHT
Get everyone on board. (Hire help, if necessary.)
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PLANNING FOR ELECTION NIGHT
Get everyone on board. (Hire help, if necessary.)
Learn where candidates will be ahead of time.
![Page 10: Scott Swafford, Covering election night](https://reader036.vdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022062617/54c8fc404a79592c068b45ad/html5/thumbnails/10.jpg)
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.
![Page 11: Scott Swafford, Covering election night](https://reader036.vdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022062617/54c8fc404a79592c068b45ad/html5/thumbnails/11.jpg)
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.
![Page 12: Scott Swafford, Covering election night](https://reader036.vdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022062617/54c8fc404a79592c068b45ad/html5/thumbnails/12.jpg)
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.
![Page 13: Scott Swafford, Covering election night](https://reader036.vdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022062617/54c8fc404a79592c068b45ad/html5/thumbnails/13.jpg)
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.
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WORKING THE POLLS
Ground rules.
Engage in conversation, not interrogation.
Learn to have a thick skin; be polite and professional.
Exit surveys?
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EXAMPLES: PRINT & ONLINE
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EXAMPLES: PRINT & ONLINE
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EXAMPLES: ONLINE
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Results graphics
Mapping election results
precinct by precinct
can reveal interesting
patterns.