WASHINGTON, October 10 — The US midterm elections are approaching, with the balance of power in Congress at stake. Journalists are playing a critical role in ensuring voters have basic information about how to vote and which issues and candidates are on the ballot. The Journalist’s Resource and SciLine recently convened a webinar to answer questions about what’s top of mind for voters and election officials this fall.
The discussion featured experts and focused on topics such as federal intervention, underserved voters, and artificial intelligence. Elections in the US are decentralized, run by local officials, which is unique compared to other countries.
It is normal for election administrators to take days or longer to count votes and publish results. Journalists can help audiences better understand the US electoral system by explaining this process and getting to know election administrators and poll watchers before Election Day. Experts suggest that reporters should ask election officials about their concerns prior to the midterms, which may include federal intervention in locally run elections.
The federal government’s potential interference in elections is a concern for many officials, with some citing claims about non-citizens voting, efforts to change mail-in voting rules, and requests for voter information. Reporters can track these claims and use records requests to find out what’s going on in their community.
The webinar also discussed the importance of understanding how the federal government has been involved in local elections and how election officials are planning for potential federal interference. With the elections fast approaching, journalists have a critical role in providing accurate and timely information to voters. As the 2026 midterms draw near, the decentralized nature of American elections remains a defining feature.
Unlike systems where a central authority oversees voting, each state and locality manages its own process, leading to variations in procedures, timelines, and technology use. This structure means that while some jurisdictions may report results quickly, others routinely require additional time to verify and tabulate ballots, particularly in close contests or where mail-in voting is prevalent. Journalists covering these elections must therefore avoid framing delayed results as irregularities, instead contextualizing them as standard practice within the US system.
The webinar hosted by The Journalist’s Resource and SciLine highlighted growing apprehension among local election officials regarding potential federal involvement in their operations. Several participants raised specific concerns, including allegations of non-citizen voting, attempts to modify mail-in voting regulations, and demands for access to voter registration data.
These claims, whether substantiated or not, have prompted officials to prepare for scenarios where federal agencies might seek to influence or audit local election administration. Reporters were advised to engage directly with these officials ahead of November to understand their specific worries and to monitor how such claims evolve in public discourse. To address these dynamics, journalists are encouraged to move beyond election-day reporting and build relationships with administrators and poll watchers in the months preceding the vote.
By doing so, reporters can explain the mechanics of vote counting, clarify misconceptions about timing, and provide audiences with reliable tools to assess the integrity of the process. The ability to file public records requests was noted as a key method for verifying whether claims of federal overreach or voter fraud are being investigated locally, offering a concrete way to separate speculation from documented action.
Artificial intelligence also emerged as a topic of discussion during the webinar, reflecting its increasing presence in election-related activities.
