Syracuse University student journalists are covering the 2026 midterm elections across broadcast, digital and social media platforms, reporting across the Northeast from the campaign trail in Maine to polling places in Central New York.

Students at the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications are working with professional journalists at Spectrum News and WAER to tell stories about voters and covering campaigns for Newhouse student outlets including NCC News and The NewsHouse.

Coverage involves reporting, writing, filming, photography or production by students from the broadcast and digital journalism, magazine, news and digital journalism or visual communications programs.

“Election Day gives Newhouse student journalists a marquee opportunity to get hands-on experience covering races getting national attention or relaying stories that truly affect local communities,” Newhouse Dean Mark J. Lodato says. “This year, we’re especially proud to have students collaborating with Spectrum News and the professional journalists at WAER to produce stories from the pivotal midterms.”

Students Cover Maine Senate Race for Spectrum News NECN

Eight Newhouse students are filing stories from Maine for Spectrum News NECN on a reporting trip led by Jim Osman, professor of practice of broadcast and digital journalism. Focusing on the state’s U.S. Senate race drawing national attention, the work is part of the partnership between Spectrum News and the Newhouse School.

“It is so exciting to see our vision come to life in such a unique way,” says Mike Bair, executive vice president of Spectrum Networks.

Recent stories include:

• Brycen Pace’s story on election ad fatigue
• Evan Fay’s story on a divided island in North Haven, Maine
• Lucy Shaffer’s story on voters in Camden, Maine

Democracy in Action: Students Report from Central New York Polling Places

Closer to home, the Newhouse School’s Election Day project, Democracy in Action, marks its 16th year in 2026. Master’s and undergraduate students will report live from polling places across Central New York on NCC News.

Rather than focusing on specific races and results, the students will tell stories about the voters: what motivates them to come to the voting booth, why this election matters in their communities, what they’re teaching their children about voting and why voting truly is “democracy in action.”

The stories will use text, audio, video and still photography. Read or watch the Democracy in Action stories on the NCC News website or search for #nhdia on X.

This year, student journalists are also collaborating with Spectrum News on Democracy in Action coverage, including student-produced Instagram Reels to be published on Spectrum’s social media channels.

WAER Student Reporters Examine New York Races, Young Voters

Over the past week, student reporters at WAER 88.3 FM have published election stories for Central New York listeners:

• Brycen Pace spoke with the candidates for New York attorney general about bail, crime and opioid settlement money.
• Michael Batson reported on a Harvard University poll finding that only one in three voters ages 19 to 29 say they will likely vote in the midterms.

The NewsHouse Journalists Survey Students on Election Day

The NewsHouse will spend Election Day surveying Syracuse University students on the significance of this election to them and their most important issues in the midterms, says Jon Glass, Newhouse School executive editor and a professor of practice of magazine, news and digital journalism.

Later Tuesday, NewsHouse journalists will cover results and candidate speeches at Democratic and Republican watch parties.