Votebeat Launches Expert Desk to Boost Election Coverage with More Perfect Support
Event summary
- Votebeat launches Expert Desk on September 15, 2026, with support from More Perfect to provide real-time, on-the-record guidance to journalists covering elections.
- The platform connects 600 journalists across 150 newsrooms with over 100 bipartisan election experts, including former officials, attorneys, and technologists.
- Expert Desk aims to help journalists check claims, understand lawsuits, find credible sources, and get on-the-record quotes efficiently.
- Applications for journalists and experts are accepted on a rolling basis, with the Desk operational until December 15, 2026.
The big picture
The launch of Votebeat's Expert Desk underscores the growing need for reliable, nonpartisan election coverage amid increasing misinformation. More Perfect's support highlights a strategic push to strengthen democratic institutions through trusted news and information. This initiative could set a precedent for how election-related expertise is disseminated to journalists and the public.
What we're watching
- Impact Scale
- Whether the Expert Desk can significantly improve the accuracy and depth of election coverage across 150 newsrooms.
- Sustainability
- How Votebeat and More Perfect will sustain the Expert Desk beyond the 2026 midterms, given its December 15 closure date.
- Expert Engagement
- The pace at which election experts will participate and provide proactive tips, ensuring the Desk's effectiveness.
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