Votebeat Ramps Up Election Coverage with More Perfect's Support Ahead of 2026 Elections
Votebeat, uniquely positioned as the only nonprofit news organization dedicated solely to election coverage in the U.S., is expanding its reach and resource base in preparation for the pivotal 2026 elections. This initiative is significantly backed by More Perfect, an influential bipartisan coalition advocating for fair elections and reliable news access. With the current landscape fraught with misinformation, Votebeat's enhanced capacity ensures that communities nationwide receive accurate and unbiased insights about their electoral processes.
The nonprofit newsroom's mission centers on providing in-depth reporting regarding the administration of elections, which are often perceived as distant events only occurring during the voting period. Carrie Levine, Votebeat's Editor in Chief, emphasized the significance of sustained reporting by stating, "Elections don't happen in one news cycle; they happen every day in county offices, local courthouses, and state legislatures." This perspective underscores the necessity for communities to understand how their local electoral systems function.
Founded in 2020, Votebeat has established its presence in five critical states: Arizona, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Wisconsin. These states are vital not only for their electoral outcomes but also for their influence on national discourse and public trust in the democratic process. The goal is to ensure these communities are well-informed through local reporting that is both detailed and contextually rich, enabling residents to make sense of the often intricate election processes.
The support from More Perfect will help Votebeat build out its infrastructure, expanding its ability to produce trustworthy, informative journalism. Elizabeth Green, Founder and CEO of Civic News Company, noted that local election administration represents the most tangible form of democracy for voters, even as steady reporting on these topics remains elusive. She expressed hope that with More Perfect’s assistance, Votebeat can intensify its grassroots journalism efforts and guarantee that resource-deprived communities gain access to consistent, nonpartisan election coverage.
Moreover, John Bridgeland, the CEO of More Perfect, reiterated the urgency of accurate election information in maintaining democratic integrity. By investing in Votebeat's mission, More Perfect is facilitating local communities' access to necessary insights about and checks surrounding elections, promoting citizen engagement in the democratic process.
As plans materialize to bolster its national newsroom, Votebeat is excited about the forthcoming developments. Recently, they appointed Nathaniel Rakich, a respected journalist previously with FiveThirtyEight, as their new managing editor. Rakich will help coordinate operations within the five state bureaus, contributing to the establishment of a permanent Elections Experts Desk. This national resource aims to ensure real-time tracking of federal voting policies and legal matters, directly linking local reporting with the overarching national electoral landscape.
Expectations are high as Votebeat anticipates producing approximately 100 national stories, nearly doubling its previous outputs, with the ambition of tracking 225 documented metrics pertaining to reporting influence. Such wide-reaching goals are indicative of Votebeat's commitment to enhancing voter understanding and confidence over the coming election cycles.
Votebeat’s objectives align closely with More Perfect’s Democracy Goals focused on fortifying electoral trust and providing citizens with reliable information. Together, they seek to ensure every American has assurance in the democratic systems that influence their lives, fostering a healthier, well-informed electorate.
This collaboration symbolizes a concrete step toward addressing the crisis in local news and underscores the importance of independent journalism in promoting electoral integrity. As Votebeat and More Perfect gear up for the challenges ahead, their efforts can potentially reshape how election information is disseminated and perceived, proving critical to safeguarding democratic processes in a time of increasing polarization and misinformation.
The nonprofit newsroom's mission centers on providing in-depth reporting regarding the administration of elections, which are often perceived as distant events only occurring during the voting period. Carrie Levine, Votebeat's Editor in Chief, emphasized the significance of sustained reporting by stating, "Elections don't happen in one news cycle; they happen every day in county offices, local courthouses, and state legislatures." This perspective underscores the necessity for communities to understand how their local electoral systems function.
Founded in 2020, Votebeat has established its presence in five critical states: Arizona, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Wisconsin. These states are vital not only for their electoral outcomes but also for their influence on national discourse and public trust in the democratic process. The goal is to ensure these communities are well-informed through local reporting that is both detailed and contextually rich, enabling residents to make sense of the often intricate election processes.
The support from More Perfect will help Votebeat build out its infrastructure, expanding its ability to produce trustworthy, informative journalism. Elizabeth Green, Founder and CEO of Civic News Company, noted that local election administration represents the most tangible form of democracy for voters, even as steady reporting on these topics remains elusive. She expressed hope that with More Perfect’s assistance, Votebeat can intensify its grassroots journalism efforts and guarantee that resource-deprived communities gain access to consistent, nonpartisan election coverage.
Moreover, John Bridgeland, the CEO of More Perfect, reiterated the urgency of accurate election information in maintaining democratic integrity. By investing in Votebeat's mission, More Perfect is facilitating local communities' access to necessary insights about and checks surrounding elections, promoting citizen engagement in the democratic process.
As plans materialize to bolster its national newsroom, Votebeat is excited about the forthcoming developments. Recently, they appointed Nathaniel Rakich, a respected journalist previously with FiveThirtyEight, as their new managing editor. Rakich will help coordinate operations within the five state bureaus, contributing to the establishment of a permanent Elections Experts Desk. This national resource aims to ensure real-time tracking of federal voting policies and legal matters, directly linking local reporting with the overarching national electoral landscape.
Expectations are high as Votebeat anticipates producing approximately 100 national stories, nearly doubling its previous outputs, with the ambition of tracking 225 documented metrics pertaining to reporting influence. Such wide-reaching goals are indicative of Votebeat's commitment to enhancing voter understanding and confidence over the coming election cycles.
Votebeat’s objectives align closely with More Perfect’s Democracy Goals focused on fortifying electoral trust and providing citizens with reliable information. Together, they seek to ensure every American has assurance in the democratic systems that influence their lives, fostering a healthier, well-informed electorate.
This collaboration symbolizes a concrete step toward addressing the crisis in local news and underscores the importance of independent journalism in promoting electoral integrity. As Votebeat and More Perfect gear up for the challenges ahead, their efforts can potentially reshape how election information is disseminated and perceived, proving critical to safeguarding democratic processes in a time of increasing polarization and misinformation.
Topics Policy & Public Interest）
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