This article was originally published in the Student Press Report , a national news desk covering student media and journalism education in higher ed.

Student journalists across the country have kicked into high gear ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, despite their relative inexperience covering politics and young voters being notoriously absent at the polls.

From statewide collaborations to basics like voter registration guides and candidate platform information, here’s how student newsrooms have been gearing up to preview and cover the midterms.

A statewide effort in North Carolina

At The Duke Chronicle, coverage started by showing readers the basics — how to register to vote in North Carolina and what to bring to the polls.

“From there, we can start building on people’s knowledge about what’s going to be actually on their ballot,” said Claire Cranford, a Duke University senior and The Chronicle’s news editor, who is leading the paper’s election coverage.

In addition to publishing about two dozen…