In this discussion, Dan Pfeiffer, a Crooked Media contributor and expert on election polling, breaks down the current state of polls ahead of the elections. He highlights the conflicting results, noting how Trump and Harris each have their moments of leading. Pfeiffer reflects on the pitfalls of past polling, especially from 2016, and explains how demographic shifts and communication changes complicate accuracy. He emphasizes the need for personal voter outreach and the unpredictable nature of upcoming elections, urging listeners to engage actively.
Polls have increasingly struggled with accuracy, especially in capturing the turnout of non-college-educated white voters in recent elections.
Emerging political factors like the COVID-19 pandemic and reproductive rights are complicating the landscape of voter behavior and polling predictions.
Deep dives
The Challenges of Polling Accuracy
Polling accuracy has become a significant concern following the discrepancies observed in the last two presidential elections. Analysts note that polls underestimated Donald Trump's support, particularly from non-college-educated white voters, which skewed predictions about the election outcomes. The 2016 election highlighted how crucial state-level polling is since a lack of data in swing states led to unexpected results. This trend continued into 2020, where even established polling organizations failed to predict turnout accurately, leaving the industry facing intense scrutiny.
The Impact of Voter Turnout on Results
Voter turnout is a determining factor in electoral outcomes, with particular demographics showing varied engagement levels. Polls in both 2016 and 2020 reflected a disconnect due to the models used to predict who would show up on election day. For instance, non-college-educated whites voted in unprecedented numbers for Trump, a shift that was not accurately captured. The underestimation of this demographic's turnout forecast led to significant polling errors, prompting questions about the methodologies used by pollsters.
The Role of Emerging Political Factors
Emerging political factors, such as the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the overturning of Roe v. Wade, have created unpredictable electoral landscapes. In 2022, these issues charged up certain voter groups, particularly women, but the long-term effects on overall voter behavior remained uncertain. Polling indicated that while Democrats performed unexpectedly well in midterm elections, many voters remained focused on immediate issues like inflation rather than overarching concerns about reproductive rights. This scenario illustrates the complexity of accurately gauging voter sentiment in a rapidly changing political climate.
Innovative Approaches to Polling
In an attempt to improve forecasting accuracy, pollsters are adopting new methods that include weighting polls to reflect past electoral outcomes. This technique considers the voting behavior from previous elections, particularly regarding Trump turnout, to refine predictions for upcoming contests. However, even with these adaptations, predicting voter behavior has become increasingly difficult given the polarized nature of current politics. As the race tightens, pollsters contend that while trends can provide insight, there remains a significant degree of uncertainty surrounding voter choices leading up to the election.
Trump is winning the presidential race according to some polls. But others say Harris is ahead. What’s the point of following the polls if they contradict each other and, at times, seem outright broken? On this week’s “How We Got Here,” Max and Erin talk with Crooked’s Dan Pfeiffer to explain how Trump, the pandemic, iPhones and more messed with the reliability of presidential election polls.
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