The Associated Press said it plans to roll out a new series of expanded election news packages and hosted Web services geared toward next year’s presidential election.

The expanded election packages, accessible to newspapers and broadcasters, are offered to complement existing AP election services and will be available in January 2004, or earlier if necessary to cover the first caucuses and primaries.

The new customizable choices offer packages or stand-alone components of all pre-election content and election-night results. The election coverage is available in flexible formats - including ANPA satellite feed, XML feed and hosted Web and desktop delivery.

“We’ve expanded our election services to offer readers and viewers more options in how they receive AP election coverage,” said Tom Jory, AP’s director of elections tabulations.

AP’s pre-election coverage includes candidate bios, headshots, political daybooks, campaign finance information and voting records, among other features. Pre-election coverage also includes breaking political news and photos. Pre-election content will be available from the first caucuses and primaries through November’s general election.