Our editing team looks back on how CatchLight Local member newsrooms documented the midterms, and why it matters.
On Nov. 2, visual journalists across the country headed out before the polls opened and remained long after the last returns came in. Some of the night’s most closely watched races played out in Ohio, Georgia and Texas, where CatchLight member newsrooms were on the ground. Member newsroom photographers documented the lines at the polls, the watch parties and the communities whose choices will shape the years ahead.
These images grew out of steady work done all year. For months before the midterms, CatchLight Local newsroom photographers reported on the issues people care about most, giving voters a clearer view of what was at stake in their own neighborhoods. On election night, our team of editors worked alongside them, helping each newsroom tell its story with care.
Local journalism is essential to a healthy democracy. Strong visuals are essential to local journalism. Photographs help readers see one another, hold power to account and act as our collective memory.
Attendees hold signs in support of Sen. Amy Klobuchar, DFL candidate for governor, during a DFL election night party at InterContinental Hotel in St. Paul, Minn. on Nov. 3, 2026.
Photo: Bridget Bennett / MinnPost / CatchLight Local / Report for America
Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., speaks during a DFL election night party at InterContinental Hotel in St. Paul, Minn. on Nov. 3, 2026.
Photo: Bridget Bennett / MinnPost / CatchLight Local / Report for America
Supporters of Amy Klobuchar and Peggy Flanagan watch party in St. Paul, Minnesota, pictured on November 3, 2026.
Photo: Dymanh Chhoun / Sahan Journal
Amy Klobuchar talking to the media at the DFL watch party on November 3, 2026.
Photo: Dymanh Chhoun / Sahan Journal
Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan, DFL candidate for US Senate, arrives to vote at Wat Promwachirayan in St. Louis Park, Minn. on Nov. 3, 2026.
Photo: Bridget Bennett / MinnPost / CatchLight Local / Report for America
Peggy Flanagan is giving her victory speech to a packed house inside InterContinental Hotel in St. Paul Minnesota, pictured on November 3, 2026.
Photo: Dymanh Chhoun / Sahan Journal
Election workers stand outside a polling location at Bethel Lutheran Church in Minneapolis, Minn. on Nov. 3, 2026.
Photo: Bridget Bennett / MinnPost / CatchLight Local / Report for America
Election day is a special day for journalists. It’s one of the times everyone gathers in the newsroom and works long hours as part of a team. You feel the commitment to the work and the purpose behind it. We are out here covering our own states, our own communities, knocking on doors, telling stories, pushing for access, asking the hard questions. My newsrooms in Minnesota and Wisconsin cover both state-wide politics and local communities of color, including immigrants and refugees. On Election Day, our photographers documented history, capturing the impact of ground-breaking election results. They worked hard for access to polling sites and events. One journalist was denied access to a GOP watch party, part of a disturbing trend, highlighting the need for our whole industry to work for transparency and equity. ”
A family enters at St. David Catholic Church in the Lower Ninth Ward on Election Day, Nov. 3, 2026. Credit: Christiana Botic/Verite News and Catchlight Local/Report for America
The newsrooms I work most closely with are in Georgia and Louisiana, and being part of the coverage of such a historic night for these communities felt especially poignant. Over the past year, I’ve helped publish stories about what our communities care about most, many of which shaped how folks voted last night. Watching the numbers come in and seeing the lines at the polls, it felt like we were part of that process. People went to vote informed, in part because our CatchLight fellows and local journalists have been pounding the pavement and showing up to tell their stories. Getting to bear witness to this moment and be part of this work is an honor. Proud of everyone I’ve worked alongside and what we do.”
— Kathleen Flynn
“I thought it would be great to be of service,” said Deana Francis, center, on her first day as a poll worker in New Orleans on Nov. 3, 2026.
Photo: Christiana Botic / Verite News / Catchlight Local / Report for America
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Keisha Lance Bottoms speaks to supporters during a campaign event at Kim’s Cafe in Savannah, on Oct. 30, 2026. Bottoms faces Republican Rick Jackson in the Nov. 3 general election.
Photo: Justin Taylor / The Current GA / CatchLight Local / Report for America
Voters wait in line at the Phillis Wheatley Community School in New Orleans on Election Day, Nov. 3, 2026.
Photo: Christiana Botic / Verite News / Catchlight Local / Report for America
Republican gubernatorial candidate Rick Jackson poses for a photo with a supporters dog during a campaign event in Richmond Hill on Oct. 28, 2026.
Photo: Justin Taylor / The Current GA / CatchLight Local / Report for America
After voting, Jeff Farshad eats gumbo outside his polling place, St. Roch Community Church, with his dog Tee Tiny Teena Marie in tow on Nov. 3, 2026. A poll worker brought homemade gumbo to hand out to voters at the church.
Photo: Christiana Botic / Verite News / Catchlight Local / Report for America
Republican Jim Kingston celebrates his victory in Georgia’s 1st Congressional District race during his election night watch party in Savannah on Nov. 3, 2026.
Photo: Justin Taylor / The Current GA / CatchLight Local / Report for America
Texans celebrate nationwide Democrat wins at Democratic gubernatorial nominee Gina Hinojosa’s watch party in Austin on Tuesday, November 3, 2026.Photo: Leila Saidane for The Texas Tribune
Working on election coverage with our newsrooms made me feel more connected—to our newsroom partners and the millions of Americans around the country. That’s the beauty of visual representation, and its ability to inform and also connect by capturing our shared humanity. I feel proud to work alongside each and everyone of you. Your talent and hard work equip our communities with the tools to shape their future and raise their voices. You remind me of why we do this work and why it matters so much.”
— Michelle Kanaar
State rep. Pat Curry, R-Waco, campaigns at the Assembly of God Church in Waco, Texas on Election Day, Nov. 3, 2026.
Photo: Justin Hamel / Waco Bridge / CatchLight Local / Report for America
Tejano superstar and candidate for U.S. Congress Bobby Pulido talks to reporters at a polling place in Edinburg, Texas on November 3, 2026.
Photo: Brenda Bazan for The Texas Tribune
Democratic nominee Alisa Simmons for Tarrant County Judge hosts a watch party at Troy’s at Texas Live! on Nov. 3, 2026.
Photo: Marissa Greene / Fort Worth Report
Three robots created by The Robot Studio approach the voting center at Fretz Park Branch Library to protest James Talarico, who is running for a Senate seat, in Dallas on Election Day, November 3, 2026.
Photo: Shelby Tauber for The Texas Tribune
Supporters of Ken Paxton for the senate seat pray for “The great republic of Texas” during Ken Paxton’s Election Night Watch Party in Dallas on November 3, 2026. Joshua Feuerstein – “We prayed for the great republic of Texas. Whatever happens tonight, god will use it for his glory.”
Photo: Shelby Tauber for The Texas Tribune
Jaime Maya Saucedo paints a sign in the bed of his truck outside of the Waco Multipurpose Community Center in Waco, Texas, on Election Day, Nov. 3, 2026.
Photo: Justin Hamel / Waco Bridge / CatchLight Local / Report for America
Texas Governor Greg Abbott hugs his wife, Cecilia Abbott, and daughter, Audrey Abbott, after conceding to Gina Hinajosa at his Election Night watch party at Speakeasy in Austin on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026.
Photo: Eli Hartman for The Texas Tribune
Democratic gubernatorial nominee Gina Hinojosa meets with Texan voters at the Austin Recreation Center on Tuesday, November 3, 2026.
Photo: Leila Saidane for The Texas Tribune
A man walks into a Sugar Land polling location at the Maryam Islamic Center in Fort Bend County on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026.
Photo: Jon Shapley for The Texas Tribune
“I voted” stickers are seen on a memorial for Lorenzo Salgado Araujo in Houston on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026. Salgado Araujo was fatally shot by immigration agents in July, sparking protests. Hundreds of “I voted” stickers were placed on the memorial during early voting.
Photo: Jon Shapley for The Texas Tribune
Democrat Roy Cooper won the race for the U.S. Senate against Republican Michael Whatley, reclaiming a seat for his party that had been held by Republicans since 2015, according to preliminary results from the NCSBE. The image was taken on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, during his election night follow-up event at the Marriott City Center Hotel in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Photo: Walter Gomez / Enlace Latino NC
These were the first U.S. elections I’ve ever worked on, and knowing how historic this moment was made the experience incredibly emotional for me. It was moving to witness not only the significance of the night itself, but also the dedication of local newsroom teams across the country, all working tirelessly to document it. I feel especially grateful to the photographers who bring these moments to life, showing us the elections with so much heart, care, and hard work. Being part of that process was truly meaningful, and something I won’t forget.”
— Eloïse Billois
Victoria Crowley-Washington plays the violin during the election watch party for the Democratic gubernatorial candidate, David Crowley, at Landmark Credit Union Live on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026, in Milwaukee.
Photo: Jonathan Aguilar / Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service / CatchLight Local / Report for America
David Crowley celebrates winning the Wisconsin governor’s race during his election watch party at Landmark Credit Union Live on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026, in Milwaukee.
Photo: Jonathan Aguilar / Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service / CatchLight Local / Report for America
Rain covers a window in front of a “Vote” sign outside of the polling site at Washington High School on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026, in Milwaukee.
Photo: Jonathan Aguilar / Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service / CatchLight Local / Report for America
Desilynn Smith and Anna Maria Hodges celebrate after David Crowley won the Wisconsin governorship during the election watch party for the Democratic gubernatorial candidate, David Crowley, at Landmark Credit Union Live on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026, in Milwaukee.
Photo: Jonathan Aguilar / Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service / CatchLight Local / Report for America
Carmella Brown points to her “I Voted” sticker near the polling site at the COA Goldin Center on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026, in Milwaukee.
Photo: Jonathan Aguilar / Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service / CatchLight Local / Report for America
Election officials work on processing thousands of ballots at Milwaukee’s central count at the Italian Community Center on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026, in Milwaukee.
Photo: Jonathan Aguilar / Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service / CatchLight Local / Report for America
Election judges explain the ballot to voters at the Lewis and Clark County Fairgrounds during the midterm elections Nov. 3, 2026, in Helena.Photo: Lauren Miller / Montana Free Press / CatchLight Local / Report for America
Voters cast their ballots in the midterm elections while children play under the voting booths Nov. 3, 2026, at the Butte Civic Center.
Photo: Lauren Miller / Montana Free Press / CatchLight Local / Report for America
Sam Forstag’s team takes the stage, hugging and crying as they celebrate their apparent victory in the Western U.S. House race Nov. 3, 2026, at the Florence Building in Missoula.
Photo: Lauren Miller / Montana Free Press / CatchLight Local / Report for America
The crowd at the Sam Forstag watch party celebrates as he pulls ahead in Montana’s race for the Western U.S. House seat Nov. 3, 2026, at the Florence Building in Missoula.
Photo: Lauren Miller / Montana Free Press / CatchLight Local / Report for America
District 3 councilmember Michael Blower hugs his wife Tiffany Blower at Michael’s watch party at Octavio’s on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026 in Stockton, California. Early results put Blower in the lead.
Photo: Annie Barker / Stocktonia / CatchLight Local / Report for America
District 3 councilmember Michael Blower reacts to results at his watch party at Octavio’s on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026 in Stockton, California. Early results put Blower in the lead.
Photo: Annie Barker / Stocktonia / CatchLight Local / Report for America
Sebastian Rosas, 27, at the William F. Finkl Academy voting site on Nov. 3, 2026.
Photo: Max Herman / Borderless Magazine
It never ceases to amaze me how photojournalism freezes moments in time, making them part of history. This election was historic for our lifetimes. I am grateful for the visual storytellers who unflinchingly do their jobs every day.”
