As voters in Florida prepare for the general election, we wanted to take a moment to remind you of the critical role newsrooms play during an election year and how you can help power this important work.

According to the Medill Local News Initiative, 70 million people in the United States live in areas that have already lost or are at risk of losing access to local news. Independent journalism, such as ours at the Tampa Bay Times, is vital for a strong democracy. When local news is consumed, 13% of nonvoters are more likely to vote, according to the Federal Trade Commission. Our work matters. We keep voters informed through our in-depth, unbiased coverage, and make it easier for voters to prepare to cast their ballots.

At the Tampa Bay Times, we’re committed to providing you with the election coverage you need before you cast your vote. That includes producing a thorough voter guide of nearly 100 races on your ballot and diving deep into key contests and issues. If you value journalism like ours that strengthens democracy and holds our leaders accountable, consider making a tax-exempt donation to the Times Journalism Fund today.

On Election Day and beyond, we’re always working for you. Thank you for being a Tampa Bay Times reader and for knowing that what we do matters.

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Empower the truth. Fund election coverage that matters.

By Tampa Bay Times

Empower the truth. Fund election coverage that matters.