Behind the scenes: How newsrooms cover election night

On election night, the newsroom is anything but calm. As millions of Americans head to the polls, behind the scenes, journalists and editorial teams are working in overdrive to provide timely and accurate coverage to the public.

From tracking results to coordinating live updates and analyzing data, the pressure is on to deliver real-time developments. Reporters, editors, and producers work together to verify information, fact-check claims, and manage breaking news, all while staying on top of the fast moving parts of a national election.

KFVS news anchor and reporter Carly O’Keefe said that thorough research is essential to effective coverage.

“I was doing OTT coverage, it was a two-hour block where we focused on a number of issues. And so in order to prepare for that, I had to be knowledgeable about the races and the candidates and the issues. It takes a lot of research, just staying up on news and issues and being aware of what’s coming down the pipe,” O’Keefe said.

O’Keefe also emphasized the importance of journalistic neutrality, especially during political coverage.

“You have to remain objective. You approach every scenario when you’re talking politics in a very nonpartisan way. It's important for journalists not to take a side, we have to cover each side in a very balanced way. We give each sides equal time, and we try our best to represent both sides,” O’Keefe said.

Beyond what viewers see on screen, a lot happens in the newsroom. Assistant News Director Kalup Philips shared that his role centers on supporting his team and managing any unexpected issues.

“My focus is to make sure my team is okay. We have so many various aspects happening. We are broadcasting throughout the night during CBS coverage. We have our newscast. We’ve been on air streaming for two hours from our OTT streaming studio with special coverage there. So we have so many aspects, and people are working on different projects, and I’m bouncing between making sure they’re okay,” Philips said.

Election night in the newsroom is a high-stakes, fast-paced environment where teamwork, precision, and adaptability are key. Journalists work behind-the-scenes to ensure that information is accurate, timely, and accessible to the public as results come in and the story unfolds.