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Local results reported in real time
While Ely’s radio station has gone silent, Ely area residents will still be able to follow local election results this year.
The Ely Echo will use its website and social media channels to broadcast election night results on Nov. 5.
Editor Tom Coombe will report on local races, voter turnout and provide up-todate results as they come in during a series of broadcasts that will be streamed.
Details are being finalized this week, but the Echo anticipates using its Facebook page, X (formerly known as Twitter) and its website (www.elyecho.com) in some combination.
“People don’t want to wait a few days or rely on Duluth TV stations who may or may not have up-to-date or accurate results,” said Echo publisher Nick Wognum. “We’ll report what we know as we know it on the night of the election and do our best to keep people up to date about what’s happening in and around Ely and beyond.”
Coombe has been behind the microphone for election night for better than two decades, reporting live from the Echo offices during the last several election cycles as part of a partnership with local radio station WELY.
WELY went out of business nearly two years ago, but the election coverage is now set to continue.
“People liked tuning in and getting our results as they happened and Tom will be manning the desk as he has on election nights in the past,” said Wognum. “We urge people to tune in.”
While a hotly-contested presidential race tops the ballot and the election will also include contests for U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives, the Echo will also be reporting on a slew of local races including the Minnesota House of Representatives election between incumbent Republican Roger Skraba and DFL challenger Harley Droba.
In Ely, voters will elect three council members in a five-person race, while three school boards seats are on the line and Ely district voters will also weigh in on a $300,000 capital project levy.
Neighboring communities including Babbitt and Winton also will elect city leaders.
The election coverage comes on the heels of audio streaming of various local sports events last spring, and both a daily sports report and a biweekly podcast posted on the Echo’s website.
