3 takeaways from 2 webinars to help you cover opinion polling during the 2026 elections
We highlight why transparency matters in opinion polling — plus more from two recent webinars with the Roper Center.
Elections
Tip sheets, explainers and research roundups to inform coverage of elections
Expert Commentary
Hope: A research-based explainer
Hope is complex, but as we embark on another challenging year of news, it’s important for journalists to learn about it. We’ve gathered several studies below to help you think more deeply about hope and recognize its role in our everyday lives.
Expert Commentary
6 Election Day reporting do’s and don’ts
“Reporting on election night results may be the most pivotal task of the entire campaign season,” writes media scholar Thomas Patterson. He shares six tips for doing so carefully and responsibly.
Expert Commentary
How The Associated Press calls elections
In this recording of a recent webinar, journalists from The Associated Press and two large local newspapers share insights on how the AP calls races in the U.S, how the count and certification process works, and how reporters across the country use and convey that information.
Expert Commentary
Young voters and colleges’ efforts to boost turnout: A research roundup with 5 story ideas
We gathered research and interviewed researchers to help reporters cover voters under age 30. Keep reading for insights on their voting habits, colleges’ efforts to raise voting rates and stories researchers say newsrooms need to cover.
Expert Commentary
Resources to help journalists cover the 2024 US election
Our 2024 election collection includes resources to help you cover surveys and opinion polls, voting issues, election administration issues, local elections, and ballot measure topics.
Expert Commentary
When can your state start processing advance ballots? Check out this interactive timeline
Find out when your state can start processing advance ballots for the November 2024 general election. States that get their advance ballots ready sooner will be able to count those votes and report results faster come Election Day.
Expert Commentary
Election Beat 2024: Remember to cover voter registration deadlines
In the lead-up to Election Day in the U.S., it’s important for journalists to remind their audiences of voter registration deadlines in each state, writes media scholar Thomas Patterson in this research-based commentary.
Expert Commentary
The growing role of health care settings in voter registration: A research roundup
There’s a growing recognition that health care institutions can play an important role in mobilizing voters. We summarize studies that highlight these efforts and their outcomes.
Expert Commentary
Why journalists should look at question order when covering survey and poll results
We explain how question order bias can affect how people answer questions. We also offer five tips to help journalists spot the problem.
Expert Commentary