Bucks County Beacon wants to hear from voters – after they’ve cast their ballots.
Thanks to grant funding from the Fund for Investigative Journalism, Bucks County Beacon and Technical.ly will moderate a community listening session at Bucks County Community College Newtown Campus to hear from voters after the November midterm election.
“Modernizing Election Security” will be held from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., on Tuesday, Nov. 17, at BCCC, 275 Swamp Road. Bucks County Beacon Chief Revenue Officer Daralyse Lyons will moderate with reporters the Beacon’s Ben Bennett and Technical.ly’s Sarah Huffman in attendance.
“We want to hear from the community and doing that freshly after the election will be critical to understanding people’s experiences, challenges and questions; and to be able to use their voices to inform our ongoing reporting,” said Lyons.
Members of the League of Women Voters of Bucks County will be on hand to support the event and ensure it maintains a “non-partisan format,” Lyons said.
An open discussion around technology, election security and voting experiences will be the evening’s focus.
Lyons said bringing citizens together in dialog has never been more important – or urgently needed.
The “off the record” event aims to make attendees feel more comfortable sharing their experiences, thoughts and concerns.
READ: How Bucks County Keeps Elections Secure Through Tech and Policy
So, although reporters will be in the room, nothing said during this listening session will be shared with either the Beacon or Technical.ly’s audiences.
“We intend to record the session for background only so reporters can capture any threads that require follow-up, but none of the participants will be directly quoted. We hope [participants] will speak freely. Our intention is to create an opportunity for everyday citizens to share their experiences, fears and frustrations,” Lyons explained.
The intention is for Bennett and Huffman to have access to candid concerns from voters and citizens as they report news stories involving elected officials, local officials and “those in positions of power.”
“We want to hear people, and we know that offering them the opportunity to speak ‘off the record’ may empower more people to attend, participate and be heard without fear of exposure or social consequences,” Lyons added.
READ: Inside the E-Pollbook Technology Powering Voting Across Southeastern Pennsylvania
Conversations and dialog out of the listening session could provide topics for reported and investigative follow up stories and features.
Past events around climate justice and civic participation have been well attended.
“I think that bringing people together to speak candidly, tell their stories, and inform our reporting helps us act as a catalyst for social change,” Lyons added.
What to Expect:
· A guided, respectful discussion facilitated the Bucks County Beacon’s Daralyse Lyons.
· Space for open dialogue about election technology and voter trust.
· Insights from community members across generations and backgrounds.
· A chance to contribute ideas that inform future reporting and civic innovation.
If you go:
What: “Modernizing Election Security”
When: Tuesday, Nov. 17 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Where: Bucks County Community College, 275 Swamp Road, Newtown.
Cost: The event is free and advance registration is strongly recommended.
