We’re looking for a reporter to cover voting in Arizona.
Votebeat, the nonprofit news organization created by Chalkbeat to cover local election administration and voting access, is seeking a passionate journalist to serve as our Arizona reporter.
This is a pivotal time to cover voting in Arizona, a state that saw one of the closest presidential elections of 2020 followed by a flood of lawsuits and unfounded claims of voter fraud, a contentious partisan audit, and new laws affecting the way Arizonans will vote. Votebeat’s coverage will focus on the rise of new voting restrictions and conflicts in the wake of the Supreme Court’s Brnovich decision, the aftermath of the Maricopa County audit, and increasing far-right influence among the state’s officials, including candidates for secretary of state.
You will dive deep into the details of election administration and synthesize those facts into accurate, nuanced takeaways. Your journalism will inform the debate around voting and make an impact by spotlighting problems in elections and the politicization of voting, and by pointing toward solutions. Because the decision-making and preparations for elections are constantly ongoing, we treat this coverage as a year-round beat.
You will be responsible for reporting and writing stories — in close collaboration with your Votebeat editors — about voting access, election security, voting disinformation, and the disputes and lawsuits over election processes and results, including breaking news during the primary and general elections. At other times you will report on voting data, election tech, reform advocacy, and election policy changes. You also will serve as Votebeat’s public face in the community, working closely with our network team to cultivate reader engagement and represent the organization at public events.
This position will be based anywhere in Arizona, working at home and communicating remotely with the rest of the staff in Colorado, Texas, and Pennsylvania. The reporter will report to Votebeat’s editor in chief.
Who are you?
You are committed to local journalism and respect the transformative power of a good story. You’re a self-starter who is hungry to break news, eager to understand and inform vital public policy debates, and enthusiastic about creating new models for sustainable journalism. You’re a strong beat reporter who can develop reliable sources and find overlooked stories. You have the ability to write a range of stories, from breaking news to enterprise and long-term projects.
Most importantly, you can serve as a guide for our readers — election administrators, policymakers, voting advocates, and voters themselves — in explaining how elections work in Arizona. And you’re not afraid to call officials to task when warranted.
Required background and skills:
- Experience covering elections, government, public policy, or legal affairs
- Knowledge of Arizona elections, local demographics, and political culture
- Experience with building sources and generating story ideas
- Comfort or experience working with data, research, and reports
- The ability to write clearly, cleanly, and on deadline for quick-take, daily and longer-form stories
- Autonomous work habits, including proactive initiative and diligent task management while working remotely
- Team-oriented mindset with a generous spirit toward supporting your colleagues
- Interest in or experience with reader engagement, including finding creative ways to connect with a diverse set of readers
- A firm grasp of AP style and proper grammar
- The ability to accept feedback and use it to grow
- A passion for political participation and civic health in Arizona
- Ability to report in Spanish or Navajo is a plus
Not all candidates will check all of the requirements listed above, and that’s OK — we still want to hear from you. We especially encourage candidates from communities that traditionally have been underrepresented in journalism and especially in leadership positions.
This is a full-time position with benefits. Votebeat offers a competitive salary, commensurate with experience, and a generous benefits package, including a paid one-week recess. Our virtual newsroom features daily interaction, social Slack channels, personal development sessions, and team exercise and meditation get-togethers.
This is a role covered by the CBA with the WGAE.
Our organization is committed to antiracism, and our staff is taking part in ongoing diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging work.
To apply, complete the online form at the bottom of this page.
About Votebeat:
Votebeat is the nonprofit news organization created by Chalkbeat, originally as a pop-up newsroom in 2020 and now relaunching as a permanent network. We are committed to providing local coverage about how elections work and holding public officials accountable for fair access to the ballot box. Read more about our mission, vision, and values.
Votebeat is dedicated to equal employment opportunities for all applicants and employees. Votebeat encourages people of all races, colors, national origins, ancestries, creeds, religions, genders, ages, disabilities, veteran status, sexual orientations and marital statuses to apply.