It’s officially Election Day! Finished casting your vote? All you’ve got to do now is wait and watch the results come in.
Yet as history has shown, it can take longer than expected to finalize everything. Throughout tonight or possibly even this whole week, how can you stay in the loop without getting burned out?
It all starts with your Election Night “media diet” — what news sources you consume and when. Here are a few recommendations to get you started.
Follow far and wide
For many, keeping tabs on the presidential and congressional races via national outlets will be top of mind. Politico, AP News, and The New York Times will all have live maps and resources. Keep an extra eye on Georgia and North Carolina, as they will be the first all-important swing states to wrap up polls and may offer the first look at race leaders.
The suspense of deciding the nation’s next president will occupy much of broadcast news. Yet there are state and local races to follow as well. Look for a source in your region or city that can cut down some of the legwork on tracking multiple races. For example, this live tracker for Minnesotans from Sahan Journal, or coverage for New Yorkers from Epicenter NYC.
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Play your hits, but keep it balanced
Odds are your usual go-to television and online outlets are covering the election. Check the regular sources you trust most — but keep in mind that elections reporting can be especially partisan, even more so than daily news. Pundits will speaking on air all night, but they won’t know anything until the votes are counted.
Tuning into more neutral sources, such as C-SPAN or Ballotpedia, can keep you on top of the results and save you some channel flipping. Tracking updates directly from your state board of elections website is a good method too.
International sources can offer a valuable outside perspective, and verified voices on social media can also help you get all your updates in one place. Plus, seeing what people are saying online can bring some extra community to the day.
However, be wary of stumbling across disinformation, which experts say is present in this election, India Currents reports.
Take space when you need it
Remember, the results are going to come in whether or not you hit refresh every five minutes. The wait may be long, and it can be emotionally taxing to follow along without taking breaks here and there. Plan some other activities to be sure you have moments to process the news and check in on yourself.
See you on the other side, America.
