COVID-19 Pandemic Brings An Election Year Like No Other
In the lead-up to Election Day on November 3 and in the days that follow, Granite State voters can turn to New Hampshire Public Radio for in-depth and insightful reporting, spanning NHPR’s on-air, digital and podcast properties.
Election coverage on NHPR caps nearly two years of reporting efforts, from the earliest days of potential national candidates exploring New Hampshire and considering runs for president, to the advent of a busy primary season and last February’s first-in-the-nation primary, to the ongoing local races and issues that shape New Hampshire.
“The world was a very different place when we first began our reporting on the 2020 election, to where we find ourselves now as a state and a nation,” said Dan Barrick, news director at NHPR. “Despite the challenges of reporting during a pandemic, our public service journalism remains rooted in the concerns and voices of the public. Listener surveys, candidate debates, social media interactions and day to day reporting and interviews helped us capture what’s on the minds of voters in our state, including diverse voices and traditionally underrepresented communities. Those voices illuminated our path and shaped our coverage.”
In all of its political reporting, NHPR reporters explore the issues voters most care about and explain how policy decisions affect everyday lives. NHPR’s election-related coverage also seeks to provide clarity and transparency during fast-moving and uncertain times. Recognizing many voters in New Hampshire may be voting by mail or voting for the first time, coverage has included stories of first-time voters, legal challenges around voting, and how issues like climate change, health care, and the economy are affecting voter actions.
“On Election Day and for the critical days and weeks following, NHPR will be a place listeners and readers can go to for facts and perspective around every key moment in the election process,” said Jim Schachter, president & CEO of NHPR. “We’ll continue to seek out voices that are closest to the news. We’ll be transparent about what we know and what we don’t, in order to demonstrate why our journalism deserves people’s trust.”
The Exchange - NHPR’s locally-produced statewide call-in-talk show - will continue to be a place for in-depth, election-related conversations with key newsmakers. Weekdays from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. the program explores major issues on the minds of voters, and provides a forum for listener questions. Candidates in all the major races appeared on the program in the lead-up to the election, and The Exchange will devote future episodes to topics that arise out of the post-election landscape.
In addition to news and programming offerings, NHPR’s popular Civics 101 podcast is planning to expand its podcast, on-air, and digital content in the days and weeks after the election. Visit the podcast’sElection Central page for free and downloadable election-related episodes, lesson plans, explanatory journalism and other tools for better understanding the rights of citizenry and the foundations of our political institutions. Listeners can also send in their questions about aspects of the voting process, our democratic institutions, or other civics-related queries.
Other tools and reporting projects related to election coverage and accessible online include:
- A comprehensive voting guide (inEnglish).
- A comprehensive voting guide (inSpanish).
- 2020 Candidate Interviews – longer-form interviews with the candidates as featured on NHPR.
- Ongoing updates via thePrimarily Politics newsletter.
COVERAGE DETAILS
The line-up of election-related news and programming on NHPR:
Sunday, November 1
Throughline – 6 p.m.
NPR’s podcast Throughline goes beyond the headlines to see how stories from the past shape our present. A recent episode looked at “How We Vote”, tracing what the Founding Fathers originally thought about voting; how voting was originally designed and who it was intended for; how it has evolved and where we are today as we cast votes in this historic election. This special broadcast episode of the podcast will air in the 6 p.m. spot usually reserved for “To The Best of Our Knowledge.”
Monday, November 2
The Exchange – 9 to 10 a.m.
One day before voters go to the polls, The Exchange takes an in-depth look at the Electoral College. Host Laura Knoy and guests will explore how the Electoral College was formed, how it works, and the ongoing debate – stemming from prior federal elections when the popular vote did not determine the winning presidential candidate – as to whether it should be replaced.
Civics 101 - 8:30 p.m.
A special episode of Civics 101 will air at 8:30 p.m., in the time slot usually reserved for Marketplace. The episode will explore how and when your vote is counted in an American election, and what listeners need to know for the next day. Guests include New Mexico Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver, NHPR reporter Casey McDermott, Miles Parks of NPR Politics and Texas academic Matt Lamb.
Tuesday, November 3
The Exchange - 9 a.m. - 10 a.m.
Peter Biello hosts an Election Day episode looking at voter turnout in New Hampshire, both by absentee ballot and in-person.
Election Night Special Coverage – 7 p.m. – 11 p.m.
Laura Knoy will host NHPR’s coverage. Remote guests will include NHPR reporters and Dante Scala, Professor of Political Science at the University of New Hampshire.
For national races, NPR’s special coverage will feature a rotation of NPR hosts including Lulu Garcia-Navarro, Ari Shapiro, Alisa Chang, Michel Martin and Sarah McCammon, plus the resources of the NPR Politics Unit, NPR correspondents, editors and member station reporters. Voices from the public will include elected officials, political analysts and other guests.
At NHPR.org, readers can also access a live blog featuring local election results and news from poll settings across the state.
11 p.m. – beyond
NHPR will continue to broadcast special coverage from NPR. If coverage concludes before 5 a.m. on Wednesday, November 4, the BBC World Service will air.
Wednesday, November 4
Morning Edition – tune in from 5 to 9 a.m. for the latest election news and analysis, with local races from NHPR and national and key state races from NPR.
The Exchange – 9 a.m. – 10 a.m.
Laura Knoy hosts a post-election recap and analysis of Election Day results.
Newshour from the BBC– 3 to 4 p.m.
Join us in the afternoon for a special broadcast providing the BBC’s global perspective on the U.S. election results.
The Exchange – 8 to 9 p.m.
Peter Biello hosts a live special, hearing from listeners and voters throughout New Hampshire about the election results and their voting experiences.
America, Are We Ready? – 9 to 10 p.m.
In this national live-call-in, experts and listeners from across the country will give voice and context to the results, challenges and questions brought on by Election Day. Today’s broadcast is part of a series of America Are We Ready? conversations held throughout the election year. The program is hosted by Brian Lehrer, of our public radio partner WNYC.
Thursday, November 5
Here & Now - 12 to 3 p.m.
Regular afternoon programming will be preempted by a special 3-hour version of Here & Now, looking at the latest election results.
Newshour from the BBC – 3 to 4 p.m.
Join us for a special broadcast providing the BBC’s global perspective on the U.S. election results.
All Things Considered - 7 to 9 p.m.
Regular evening programming will be preempted by expanded coverage of All Things Considered.
NPR Election Special - 9 to 10 p.m.
Listen from 9 to 10 p.m. for live election updates from NPR.
Friday, November 6
NPR Election Special - 9 to 10 p.m.
Listen from 9 to 10 p.m. for live election updates from NPR.
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About NHPR
Since 1981, New Hampshire Public Radio has shaped the media landscape in the Granite State and beyond. Our mission is “Expanding minds, sparking connections, building stronger communities.” NHPR is broadcast from 14 different sites, making it by far New Hampshire’s largest (and only) statewide radio news service. Every week, NHPR is the choice of more than 157,000 listeners as a primary source of in-depth and intelligent news coverage, with thousands more viewing NHPR.org, following our social media sites or listening to our podcasts. Each day, New Hampshire Public Radio delivers several hours of local news reported by its award-winning news team. Locally produced programs and podcasts include The Exchange, The Folk Show, Outside/In, Bear Brook, and Civics 101, among others. NHPR is the exclusive outlet for NPR News in the Granite State and broadcasts national weekly programs such as The Moth Radio Hour, Wait Wait…Don’t Tell Me!, and This American Life. www.nhpr.org