Covering 2014’s actual elections began with the planning. It was apparent from North Carolina’s “early voting” period that turnout was very likely to be slight - as, while the first day of early voting had long lines, the second day had nil. Plan was to shoot a package of photos at a polling place - the one I vote at.
Being that the photos were being shot for stock and foreign news use - not just here - I planned to shoot the same types of images as others covering the election had: “VOTE HERE” signs, signs warning that 2016’s elections would require photo ID to vote under a controversial new state law, political activists working the polls, and voters getting ready to vote. Obvious choice of lens - the 24-70mm f/2.8, since some photos would be indoors and available light, while all would be shot at close range. I decided camera settings in advance - settling on “P” to avoid having to fiddle with the camera settings indoors.
I shot most all the outdoor photos first - the political campaigners and most all of the signs. I then went in - and shot the scene of the voters actually preparing to vote through the doorway of the room where the voting machines were. Last indoor photo: the sign warning about the coming photo-ID requirement.
I then went home, evaluated the photos - and uploaded the package to a news-photo agency.

Voters check in before voting, Election Day 2014, Burlington, N.C.