How We’re Covering the Midterms — and the Aftermath
ProPublica outlines its strategy for covering the upcoming U.S. midterm elections, emphasizing the unprecedented challenges posed by political interference and disputes over electoral integrity. The outlet notes that wealthy donors have spent significant amounts while both parties engaged in redistricting efforts. It highlights that President Donald Trump and his allies have actively questioned the reliability of election results prior to voting, culminating in a Justice Department lawsuit aimed at challenging outcomes where Republican Senator Dan Sullivan did not win in Alaska. To address these risks, ProPublica is deploying reporters to key states and preparing for various post-election scenarios, drawing parallels to the chaotic aftermath of the 2020 election and the January 6 Capitol attack. The organization also describes its recent accountability journalism efforts, such as investigating the depletion of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency and internal discussions regarding potential hacking of voting machines.
Go to the primary sources (11)
The official sources this coverage is built on. Read them directly to bypass framing.
A California federal district court denied the Trump administration's request to invalidate approximately 20,000 ballots cast by individuals identified through a commercial database match as potential noncitizens. Judge David Carter ruled that the executive branch lacked authority to override state election procedures, describing the move as an unprecedented attempt to interfere with constitutional processes. The legal action stemmed from 'Operation Protect the Vote,' a Justice Department initiative that resulted in the arrest of 11 people and charges against 28 others based on the same dataset. Critics, including the advocacy group Common Cause, characterized the data used to compile the list as flawed and insufficient to justify disenfranchisement. The administration immediately appealed the decision to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, where similar claims had previously failed. This dispute occurred during early voting periods for upcoming midterm elections, raising concerns about the impact on close races.
Bias read (Progressive): The article frames the federal government's actions using highly critical language such as 'unsubstantially claimed,' 'faulty, junk data,' and 'manufacture a non-existent crisis.' It relies heavily on quotes from Democratic-aligned figures, including a Clinton-appointed judge and the CEO of Common C
Why factuality (85): The article accurately reflects the primary source regarding the 'Operation Protect the Vote' initiative, the charging of 28 individuals, and the arrest of 11. It correctly identifies the core conflict described in the source: the federal government providing a list of ~20,000 names and California d
Why objectivity (40): The tone is highly critical of the federal government, using loaded terms like 'coerce,' 'bend to the will of the Executive Branch,' and 'faulty, junk data.' It frames the federal action as an unprecedented power grab ('sole sovereign') rather than a standard enforcement action. This represents a cl
US President Donald Trump stated to the New York Times that he intends to accept the outcomes of the upcoming midterm elections. In his remarks, he expressed a willingness to collaborate with Democratic lawmakers, suggesting they could reach agreements despite partisan differences. This statement was made while Trump hosted a campaign watch party at the White House. The report highlights the President’s commitment to respecting the electoral process ahead of the vote.
Bias read (Center): The article neutrally reports the President's direct quotes regarding election acceptance and bipartisan cooperation without adding editorial commentary or biased adjectives.
On MSNBC's program 'We the People 2026,' host Rachel Maddow commented on high voter turnout during the midterms, describing it as a 'one finger salute' to claims of widespread voter fraud. She argued that narratives alleging election rigging are tactics used by authoritarian figures to discourage civic participation by convincing citizens their votes do not matter. Maddow specifically cited record turnout figures from South Carolina as evidence that Americans are actively rejecting these discouraging messages. She stated that despite uncertainty regarding specific electoral outcomes, the high participation rates demonstrate that the electorate remains engaged and present.
Bias read (Progressive): The article exclusively features commentary from a prominent liberal commentator who frames election integrity concerns as authoritarian suppression tactics, omitting any counterarguments or independent verification of the fraud allegations.
Senator Cory Booker secured his re-election in New Jersey by defeating Republican opponent Justin Murphy. With approximately 80% of the vote counted, polling data indicated Booker leading with over 63% of the support compared to Murphy's 34.4%. The article highlights Booker's recent public criticism of President Donald Trump, specifically quoting his characterization of the president as a 'commander in cheating.' Booker argued that Trump had attempted to undermine confidence in the electoral process prior to the midterms. The piece includes direct quotes from a CNN interview where Booker references past legal indictments related to election interference in Georgia.
Bias read (Conservative): The headline uses the phrase 'Wins Re-Election' which implies a victory narrative often associated with favorable coverage, while the body emphasizes the candidate's aggressive rhetoric against the opposing party leader rather than policy positions or campaign specifics.
A federal appeals court ruled in favor of the Department of Justice regarding its dispute over efforts to pressure state and local election officials. This legal decision allows the Trump administration to potentially resume actions aimed at preventing individuals identified as potential noncitizens from voting. The ruling comes ahead of the upcoming midterm elections in the United States.
Bias read (Conservative): The headline uses the phrase 'Court Backs' which frames the judicial decision as validation rather than a neutral procedural outcome, while the body omits specific legal reasoning or dissenting views.
The U.S. Department of Justice deployed approximately 1,000 election monitors across multiple major cities, including Los Angeles, following a ruling by the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals that permitted the Trump administration to threaten California election workers with criminal charges. This deployment occurred despite a prior Supreme Court decision striking down federal demands to segregate contested ballots in California. Critics, including legal experts and local officials such as Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and California Attorney General Rob Bonta, characterized the move as an intimidation tactic designed to suppress voter turnout rather than ensure electoral integrity. In response to lawsuits filed by groups like the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, the Justice Department removed sworn law enforcement officers from the monitor pool and instructed remaining personnel to wear civilian clothing and refrain from carrying weapons or making arrests.
Bias read (Progressive): The article frames the federal action as an 'intimidation tactic' driven by 'nakedly partisan reasons,' relying heavily on critical quotes from Democratic officials and civil rights organizations while omitting any defense of the Justice Department's actions.
ProPublica outlines its strategy for covering the upcoming U.S. midterm elections, emphasizing the unprecedented challenges posed by political interference and disputes over electoral integrity. The outlet notes that wealthy donors have spent significant amounts while both parties engaged in redistricting efforts. It highlights that President Donald Trump and his allies have actively questioned the reliability of election results prior to voting, culminating in a Justice Department lawsuit aimed at challenging outcomes where Republican Senator Dan Sullivan did not win in Alaska. To address these risks, ProPublica is deploying reporters to key states and preparing for various post-election scenarios, drawing parallels to the chaotic aftermath of the 2020 election and the January 6 Capitol attack. The organization also describes its recent accountability journalism efforts, such as investigating the depletion of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency and internal discussions regarding potential hacking of voting machines.
Bias read (Progressive): The article frames the administration's actions as 'relentless' questioning and 'interference,' cites historical precedents of democratic erosion, and contrasts official claims of fairness with investigative findings of institutional weakening.
The United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit issued a two-to-one ruling that temporarily suspended a lower court order restricting the Trump administration's interactions with state and local election officials. This legal move allows the federal government to potentially resume specific election-related activities, including demands regarding ballot handling and threats of criminal prosecution, ahead of the upcoming midterm elections. However, the administration remains constrained by separate court orders that prohibit certain actions targeting state and local election authorities. The appellate court granted this stay based on a request filed by the Department of Justice.
Bias read (Center): The article uses neutral, procedural language to describe the court ruling and legal constraints without employing loaded adjectives or expressing editorial opinion on the merits of the election interference allegations.
How each side covered it
The same event, grouped by the political lean of the outlets covering it.
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How each side covered it
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