Election Beat 2022: Will turnout, swing voters or sheer luck decide the midterms?
The campaign matters but other things matter more, writes media scholar Tom Patterson. Read on to learn more about the enthusiasm gap and the luck factor.
Politics & Government
Research roundups, tip sheets, articles and explainers related to the topic of politics, elections, and local and national governments
Expert Commentary
Sports betting in the US: A research roundup and explainer
We look at the landscape of legal sports betting in America, explain what the research says about how legalization affects tax revenues, and provide a brief history of the activity.
Expert Commentary
Gun buybacks: What the research says
Gun buybacks allow gun owners to trade their firearms to law enforcement, no questions asked. We dive into what the research says on whether they work to reduce gun violence.
Expert Commentary
What journalists need to know about potential threats to the ballot initiative process
In this commentary, the manager of a voter empowerment project discusses what it takes for citizens to get a proposition on the ballot.
Expert Commentary
Ballot measures: Research shows how wording, ballot format and local news coverage can influence voters
As journalists prepare to cover the midterms, it’s important they understand how various factors can influence whether voters support or reject ballot measures — or vote on them at all.
Expert Commentary
Election Beat 2022: What we can learn from predictive models and polls
Will 2022 be a ‘normal’ year for voting on House seats? Academic statistical models predict a Republican win in the 2022 U.S. midterm elections, but opinion polls add a cautionary note.
Expert Commentary
Election Beat 2022: ‘Known unknowns’ in the US midterms
We know reapportionment, redistricting, and a host of new laws affecting ballot access may give Republicans an advantage, writes media scholar Tom Patterson. The unknowns lie in the impact that each of those factors will have.
Expert Commentary
The role of local election officials: 5 studies to consider
We highlight recent research that can inform journalists who are reporting on precinct staffing challenges, bias in who gets help voting, and more.
Expert Commentary
Election Beat 2022: How state laws threaten and weaken voting rights in the US
In the lead-up to the Nov. 8 midterm elections, journalists might want to keep an eye on how state laws are weakening voting rights, writes media scholar Thomas Patterson.
Expert Commentary
Election Beat 2022: Don’t forget to cover voter registration deadlines
In the lead-up to the Nov. 8 midterm elections 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.
Expert Commentary