Prin at the Polls took place this past election day and brought students together for live election coverage and analysis. The program, set in Davis Merrick’s computer lab and TV studio, involved students from both the Digital Media and Journalism and Political Science departments. The program, which occurs every election year, allows students to research and report on election news in real time.
Get hour-by-hour insights into this year’s Prin at the Poll experience from junior Goodluck Ajeh.
7:00–8:00 p.m.: Preparing for primetime
Students arrived to headquarters an hour early to rehearse scripts and gather last-minute information. Professor and former college president John Williams, JD (C’76) and Dr. Brian Roberts (C’88) checked in with students to ensure they were ready to present updates on their assigned states. But it wasn’t all business. Both departments provided food and snacks to keep students energized and excited for the night ahead. A quick check-in with Prin at the Polls anchors Ethan Booth and Kaya Equevilley showed they were ready for the evening to kick off!
8:00–9:00 p.m.: The program begins
After our anchors opened the program, student reporter Logan Cadey led a segment on previous election results across swing states. During the segment, students shared insights on key swing states, highlighting some of the issues that influenced voter decisions. The students then turned their investigation homeward, presenting perspectives from first-time voters on campus who discussed their motivations for participating in this election.
In true Prin at the Polls fashion, things quickly ramped up! While our team conducted a Zoom interview with a team member who covered issues impacting Pennsylvania voters, our newsroom provided updates on elections in New York and New Hampshire, including reports of bomb threats in Pennsylvania and Georgia that delayed voting.
Even though the local and national election coverage was a first for some of our student reporters, they did well handling the pressures of the evening.
9:00–10:00 p.m.: The evening is under way
After a well-deserved break, the studio shifted its focus to key issues for voters in Nevada and Arizona. Another student report highlighted the competitive U.S. House race in Connecticut between Jahana Hayes and George Logan. Updates showed Donald Trump leading nationally, though many votes were still uncounted. And in the Senate race, Republicans were close to regaining control. Our reporters were diligent in their research and coverage, leaving no stone unturned in their quest for a thorough and fair broadcast.
10:00–11:00 p.m.: Closing updates
As our bustling night drew to a close, the newsroom reported that most swing states remained undecided, with Trump still leading Harris in electoral votes. In a notable and somewhat humorous update, the city of Dixville Notch, New Hampshire recorded a historic tie, where the town of six split its vote down the middle—three votes for each presidential candidate. By the program’s end, Trump led the race with 230 electoral votes to Harris’s 210, with several states still in play.
We wrapped the night in a final moment of reflection. Although it was a rigorous evening, one with ups, downs, and all the trials that come with live journalism, students expressed relief and satisfaction with their contributions to the election coverage. And on that note of gratitude for this incredible opportunity, our team closed shop and returned to our dorm rooms to enjoy a well-earned rest.
Watch the recording of Prin at the Polls and get some insight into election day.