New Collaborative Initiative Enhances Local Election Coverage in Florida

Last updated: July 14, 2026

NewsWK — A new partnership involving various news organizations and university journalism programs is set to enhance local election coverage throughout Florida, including the Pensacola area. This initiative, led by The Florida Trib, aims to provide comprehensive reporting for the upcoming August 18 primary elections, with a particular focus on school board elections, which are crucial for local communities.

The Florida Election Reporting Partnership recognizes the significant role that school boards play in managing billions in public funds and addresses Florida’s recent challenges, such as having the lowest reading scores in the nation among its students. With many students in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties impacted, the need for reliable local information is more pressing than ever.

Florida suffers from the largest local news gap in the country, ranking last in media outlets per capita. This gap was evident during the last school board elections when over a third of Florida’s 67 counties received no coverage, despite numerous contested races. Where coverage did exist, many stories were basic Q&As or hidden behind paywalls, leaving voters to rely on unverified information from social media.

Wesley Wright, assistant director of Student Media at Florida Atlantic University, remarked, “Many people across the state find themselves at a loss when looking for accurate information about local elections.” This collaborative effort aims to improve voter engagement and knowledge, ultimately fostering a more informed electorate.

With 27 news organizations and universities participating, including well-known entities such as the Miami Herald and the Orlando Sentinel, the partnership will mobilize both professional journalists and journalism students to cover school board elections statewide. This reporting will provide voters with essential information regarding candidates, campaign finances, and other vital context necessary for informed decision-making.

As Florida prepares for 209 school board races in 2026, nearly 40% of which already feature only one candidate, the Reporting Partnership is determined to address these gaps with nonpartisan coverage that goes beyond simple questionnaires. A specialized dashboard created by the University of Florida will help ensure the accuracy of the information reported, sourcing data from the Florida Division of Elections and county supervisor of elections.

A key goal of the initiative is to train the next generation of journalists, equipping them with the necessary skills to fill the existing coverage voids within local news. Amy Tardif, Editorial Manager at WUSF, expressed enthusiasm for bringing attention to local races, stating, “Part of WUSF’s and public radio’s mission is to inform our communities about civic issues.”

For more information about the Florida Election Reporting Partnership and coverage of school board elections from participating news and university partners, residents can visit floridaelections.org.