Tomorrow is Election Day, and people are already preparing for a long night, watching results roll in from local polling sites and news organizations. For many journalists, there’s another thing they might be anticipating – the pizza.
What started as a convenient meal choice for newsrooms, Election Night pizza has become a longstanding tradition for reporters across the country. After many months of twists and turns, anxiety and excitement, pizza offers fuel to reporters as they await the results and a slice of comfort and community on this final night of a tumultuous election season.
We talked with the partners of the Charlotte Journalism Collaborative to find out how local newsrooms are covering election night tomorrow and, most importantly, what Charlotte pizza gets their vote this year.
Some responses have been edited for clarity or length.
Ely Portillo, Executive Editor at WFAE 90.7 FM
What does election night look like in your newsroom?
It has changed throughout the years. When I started, I was still in person, huddled around, everyone waited for the results to come out. Nowadays, it is becoming more and more decentralized as more and more people work remotely. However, for us at WFAE, this year we have a gathering with food and pizza around 5ish after we all get back from interviewing at the polls and campaign events.
What’s your favorite local slice of pizza in Charlotte?
I like a basic thin-crust pepperoni from Geno D’s Pizza in The Market at 7th Street (specializes in “Jersey Shore” style pizza).
Why does this Charlotte pizza get your vote?
I love the little pepperonis. But I probably should just eat a tomato (pizza).
You can’t do an election without pizza – it’s illegal. I’m trying to start a new tradition this year, bringing my espresso machine, my Chemex pot, my French press, along with some locally roasted coffee beans, dairy and non-dairy milks. I’m going to use all of my coffee stuff to make a coffee bar.
Glenn H. Burkins, Founder and Publisher of QCity Metro
What does election night look like in your newsroom?
Unfortunately, pizza is not a part of our election-night tradition at QCity Metro. Typically, our reporters are out at the various campaign headquarters – Democrats or Republicans. The editors are at home watching the Board of Elections website and compiling stories, using information and quotes phoned in or emailed from the reporters. It’s typically a long, long night.
What’s your favorite local slice of pizza in Charlotte?
My teammates accuse me of being a snob, but I favor the Margherita Pizza from Inezios (Pizza Napoletana) in Dilworth. It comes with San Marzano tomato sauce, buffalo mozzarella, basil and pecorino. I like to dress mine up with sweet red peppers. They add just the right touch of juicy sweetness.
Why does this Charlotte pizza get your vote?
At $20 a pie, it’s kinda expensive. But served hot, you can’t beat the taste and homemade thin crust. (Not so good reheated the next morning, though.)
Jonny Golian, Reporter for Qnotes
What does election night look like in your newsroom?
In the home newsroom, screens across two rooms will be filled with the countdowns from various national news stations (CNN, MSNBC, NPR), with at least one loaded up with a comfort game just in case stress needs to be decreased.
What’s your favorite local slice of pizza in Charlotte?
Before the dawn of Zämbies in the middle of main street NoDa, there was Benny Pennello’s. Foot-long slices, excessively topped-on ingredients, and very different types from what I had seen outside of a Cici’s Pizza. Buffalo Chicken & Mac is my favorite out of the rare specialties, enjoyable with a beer at its location next to the original Heist Brewery down North Davidson Street, a short walk from The Evening Muse and Neighborhood Theatre.
Why does this Charlotte pizza get your vote?
Ahhhh, college memories. Benny’s has been there for Charlotte’s night life (and owls) since 2015, making next year a decade in service. If I wasn’t feeling Amelie’s, at their original location across from where Free Range Brewing is now, and my usual of a chicken croissant sandwich with a Mocha Latte, or the space was a bit too crowded for studying, then all I had to do was walk down the street for one of the best slices in the city.
Across the community
Launched in 2019, the Charlotte Journalism Collaborative is a partnership of six local newsrooms and three nonprofit institutions. We also asked the community partners to weigh in on their favorite local slice of pizza.
Martha Yesowitch, Community Partnerships Manager at the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library
My favorite is Portofino’s Montese pizza. Prosciutto, mozzarella, basil and fresh mushrooms – yum!
Elesha Roupp – Library Administrative Coordinator at the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library
My favorite pizza slice is from Zämbies in NoDa. In particular, their Sleeping Beauty pizza that comes with a sweet pepper white cream sauce, tomatoes, onions and a balsamic drizzle. It’s thin and crispy like New York style. It is so good!
UNC Charlotte Urban Institute
We are big fans of Geno D’s Pizza located in The Market at 7th Street. There’s something about the Jersey style pizza that really hits home for us. There is so much goodness on the menu that making just one choice is a challenge, but the Hot Honey with its honey drizzle and peppadews or the Grandma Pie with its fresh mozzarella and special pesto sauce get it right every time. Geno D’s wins the popular vote in our office.
Dr. Nicole Hoerschelmann, Dean of the Knight School of Communication at Queens University of Charlotte
I quite like Luigi’s Pizza at 13551 Steelecroft Pkwy and Zämbie’s in NoDa. Both have pizza by the slice and thin crust pizzas that taste somewhat like Italian pizza. I’ve been in Italy at least 15 times, so my views on what counts as “authentic” pizza are a bit jaded.
In conclusion
Election Night pizza is more than a meal. It’s a tradition that brings journalists together, even as newsrooms change with the times. Gathering around to enjoy pizza might be a small, but meaningful way, to keep the team spirit alive on Election Night. It is a reminder that no matter what happens, local news and the people behind it still matter.
To follow election night coverage from the partners of the Charlotte Journalism Collaborative, you can link to individual newsrooms and view the 2024 Voter Guide from the CJC Election Hub at charlottejournalism.org/cjc-election-hub.
Fabienne Gnos
Reporter (she/her)
Macie Newnam
Reporter (she/her)
Queens University News Service
