Column: We want YOU! to help us cover elections

Heralded by the return of students to campus, a new school year is upon us once more.

There’s no denying that the previous school year was an unusual one. Our coverage here at the city and state desk reflected that, with a presidential election like no other and a dizzying reopening process taking center stage. 

This year, our mission remains the same as we try to tackle the issues that matter to the students and residents that call the greater Chapel Hill-Carrboro area home.

Our aim will be to cut through the red tape and bring you the news on what state and local governments are doing and, most importantly, how it will impact you. 

This year, we’ll be placing a special emphasis on a topic I’ve always been greatly interested in: elections.

When I was in middle school, I had no idea how to approach elections. I didn't even know what parties or candidates were involved. 

It was reading the news about elections and candidates at every level that helped me figure out not only what was going on but what kind of future I wanted to help build, both for myself and my community.

I hope our coverage can inspire that same passion in our readers, young and old, helping them discover the beauty and intrigue of the political system — from the personal stories of the candidates to the policies they aim to implement and the infinite number of scenarios that can play out when the polls close.

It's what I tried to highlight when I put together our elections newsletter last year, and it's what we'll continue to highlight this year at the city and state desk.

Naturally, we’ll be keeping an eye on the preparations for the sweeping slate of elections coming next November. The most notable of these is the race to replace retiring U.S. Senator Richard Burr that could play a crucial role in determining the balance of power in the Senate. 

We’ll also be keeping an eye on the redistricting process in North Carolina, and how that could impact the different elections for the U.S. House and both chambers of the state’s General Assembly. 

And, we’ll keep our eyes on what are, arguably, the most consequential elections coming up — this year’s local and municipal elections. These candidates will have a say on everything that directly impacts your community, so it's crucial to know who they are and what they stand for. 

But we’re missing the most important part: you.

Our coverage is meant to serve and inform our readers. To make sure we can do this well, we want to hear from you.

What issues are important to you? What races do you want us to cover? How do you want us to cover them? 

I firmly believe that suggestions from our readers can not only help improve our existing reporting, but can also fill gaps in our coverage and bring new, innovative ideas to the forefront. They can also ensure that we, as a paper, are truly representing and serving everyone in our community. 

So please, reach out to us, whether it be through social media, email or even at our office.

To paraphrase Uncle Sam, “We want YOU!” so we can make our coverage as great as it can possibly be.

@GMolero1

@DTHCityState | city@dailytarheel.com