Race and Voting Reporter

The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business. More than half the world's population sees AP journalism every day.

The Associated Press seeks an enterprising reporter to explore challenges to democracy with an emphasis on voting access and race in the United States.

This is a two-year, temporary position based in any city in the U.S. with an AP office, with the possibility of extension. Reporting to the AP’s democracy news editor and part of the AP’s politics, elections and democracy reporting team, this journalist will be aggressive in producing distinct spot and enterprise news stories on one of the most important topics of our time. Importantly, this journalist will aim to put the people whose voting rights and political representation are at risk at the center of the coverage.

The successful candidate will be able to quickly report how developments in Congress, state legislatures and courts are reshaping access to the ballot in communities of color in the U.S. They will also rely on data, sourced reporting and original interviews with voters to produce distinct, deeply reported enterprise journalism. They will be conversant in legislative developments on voting rights at the state and federal level along with electoral politics and law enforcement. They will be comfortable working with polling, data sets, freedom of information requests and in-person interviews at the national, state and community level.

This journalist will work closely with the AP’s Race and Ethnicity team as well as with AP journalists in Washington and across the country. Some of the issues this reporter will cover include the impact of voting legislation passed in Republican-controlled states, efforts to boost voter turnout in communities where it is historically low and the real-world effects of partisan- and race-based gerrymandering.

The successful candidate will:

have a demonstrated history of success as a journalist

work among a team of reporters and editors across formats to deliver spot news and enterprise that breaks news and has impact.

have strong communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively with the diverse team of journalists at the AP who operate in all formats: text, photo, video, audio, digital/social, interactive and graphics.

have a great news sense, with the ability to communicate and drive stories that people will want to share, like and talk about on social media and other platforms.

pursue innovative coverage techniques while maintaining AP’s standards for integrity and objectivity, and have the ability and willingness to work any shift, including at night and on weekends, or as coverage demands, as AP is a 24/7 operation.

Qualifications: Applicants must be able to explain complex stories in clear and compelling ways and do so swiftly and accurately. The successful candidate must be able to work effectively as a member of a team and should have at least 3 years of full-time experience at a daily newspaper, broadcast station, online or digital news outlet, or an AP bureau or regional desk.

Other qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.

All applicants must be able to work in the U.S. or be able to gain permission to do so.

Advanced-level professional competency in written and spoken English. Professional competency in a language besides English is a plus.

Basic proficiency in using an iPhone for photos and video is required. Advanced proficiency is a plus.

Strong organizational skills with the ability to juggle multiple projects across formats and deliver success on complex, challenging story lines. Employment is contingent on adhering to all company COVID-19 workplace safety policies and protocols, including providing proof of Covid-19 vaccination in accordance with applicable laws.

Application deadline is August 31, 2022 11:59 p.m. et

AP seeks to build an inclusive organization grounded in respect for differences. We support all aspects of diversity and provide equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, marital status, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or status as a veteran in accordance with applicable nondiscrimination laws.