As the anticipation builds for the upcoming election night, Eva McKend, CNN’s dedicated political correspondent, is already in full swing, preparing for the high-energy evening. Known for her insightful analysis and engaging reporting style, she understands that election night is not just about broadcasting results; it’s about shaping the narrative that will inform viewers across the nation.
“I’ve covered many elections, and it’s always an exciting time,” she told EBONY. “As a journalist, covering campaigns. You’re typically with them from the very beginning, with them for the duration. So you’ve seen all that goes into making a pitch to voters. You’ve seen the evolution of campaigns and what they have primarily trained their messaging on, and the result of it is, ultimately, it all boils down to election night and when the final ballots are cast.”
Her meticulous preparation begins weeks in advance, as she dives deep into analytics, assesses polling data, and gathers insights from both Democratic and Republican candidates. She is aware that voters’ sentiments can shift in real time, and her ability to interpret this data means her coverage will resonate with those trying to make sense of how the elections will impact them. As election night approaches, so does her commitment to delivering accurate and thoughtful reporting.
On the night of the election, the atmosphere in the CNN newsroom is electric, and Eva will be right at the center of it. She meticulously coordinates with producers and colleagues to curate key segments and ensure that viewers receive timely updates on results, forecasts, and expert opinions. Here’s how she gets ready for the upcoming election and don’t forget to follow her election coverage streaming on CNN and on X and Instagram: @evamckend
Analyzing Her Previous Work
According to McKend, she studies the briefing book that CNN’s research team puts together, but her secret weapon is researching through her own stories. “So, I’ve maybe written about a dozen or more stories since July about the Virginia governor’s race, and so I’m going through all of the stories that I’ve written to go over the central themes before campaign night,” she said. “I’m revisiting conversations I’ve had with voters all to sort of put me in a mindset to be able to distill on television on election night what this entire race boils down to.”
Remain Relaxed
For many on-air correspondents, the key to being on solely relies on relaxation. There are already so many moving parts throughout election night that the most significant factor is to remain calm throughout coverage. “I’ve already done the work, so I don’t have to feel like I’m cramming for a test, in a way, because I’ve been preparing for several months for election night,” she said.
Get the Body Moving and Consistently Following Holy Grail Rituals
McKend takes pride in and values her wellness, and on election night, she makes sure to get a good walk in to center herself mentally. “I walk every day, so that I’ll definitely make sure I get a good walk in the morning, and of course, drinking lots of water,” she said. McKend also remains consistent in her routines, from packing cotton candy grapes and pistachio nuts to always listening to music and talking to her mother after coverage to keep herself centered and calm.
Understanding that Preparation is Key
For McKend, she’s learned the importance of being confident in your beat as a reporter. As she continues to keep herself informed, she’s learned that you can never be too overprepared. “The more I lean into that confidence and assuredness [helps],” she said. “I’ve been having conversations with the campaigns and speaking with voters. I know the issues in and out, and I think that lends itself well to being really successful in these pivotal periods. So, that would be the advice that I have to young journalists. It’s not about cramming at the last minute for a test. It’s about always being prepared and investing in knowing your beat over a long period of time.”
Always be Curious
As a journalist, McKend is constantly reminded to never go into coverage or an interview thinking you know everything. “I think that you should hold on to that sense of curiosity when you’re speaking to people and not always go into interviews thinking that you know the end result, let yourself be in a posture of potentially being surprised about what you hear,” she said.