E.W. Scripps School of Journalism students prepare for election night coverage

As we approach the hotly-contested November 2024 election, journalism students working in experiential learning units in the Scripps College of Communication are preparing to provide local coverage that keeps Ohio University students and people across the region well-informed.

Students working at WOUB Public Media are preparing for an 11:30 p.m. television election night special, as well as coverage on digital platforms throughout the evening. They will be monitoring and inputting election results that will immediately go on the WOUB website and be displayed on the television election result graphics. Students at “The Post” created a print election edition that came out on October 29 and plan to produce an eight-page mini tab on November 6 with local, regional and national election results.

“I am learning so much being in charge during election season,” said The Post Editor-in-Chief Alyssa Cruz. “I want to make sure that the content we are producing is great. I want our students to be learning and doing and gaining something valuable from that. Election reporting is a great way to get involved and feel what it’s like to be a true journalist. We will be staying up super late to make sure we get all the results and running back and forth to the Board of Elections. It’s an opportunity to learn if this is something you really want to do.”

While results from the presidential election will be the most anticipated of the night on November 5, there are plenty of important local and regional issues on the ballot that will impact the people of southeast Ohio which include the Athens County library levy, commissioners race and treasurer’s races, as well as Ohio Issue 1, the 94th and 95th district Ohio Statehouse races and the 30th Ohio Senate district race.

WOUB’s election TV special will be produced, anchored and reported by students. Local, regional and national elections will also be covered.

“It’s been fun been planning out the special and figuring out what we need and what we want to do,” said Producer Jack Greene. “It’s been awesome to help build out a plan for different reporters and their assignments, to make sure they are making the connections and getting access to the needed information. It’s not an opportunity I wouldn’t get anywhere else.”

Part of what goes into planning election night coverage is anticipating the unexpected.

“I’m figuring out contingency plans if results aren’t called or finalized by 11:30 p.m.,” said Greene. “We will have students live covering local Democrat and Republican watch parties so we have access to the latest information and reactions to results.”

Student reporters from “The Post” and WOUB will use information gained on election night to continue coverage of the results well past November 5.

“We want to make sure people, both our fellow students and local community members, are well-informed,” said Cruz. “We want to make sure we are investing in the community while we are here.”