Pollsters have shifted techniques for better accuracy

+ much at stake for tech regulation this election US Edition - Today's top story: How pollsters have adapted to changing technology and voters who don’t answer the phone [View in browser]( US Edition | 24 October 2024 [The Conversation] [The Conversation]( If you’re watching reports of the polling ahead of Election Day, you might be wondering who’s answering those pollsters’ questions. It used to be a phone call on the landline at dinnertime, but almost nobody has landlines, and people rarely answer the phone to unknown callers anymore. Spencer Kimball, Camille Mumford and Matt Taglia run Emerson College Polling, and they explain [how pollsters have adapted to changes]( in technology and people’s habits and lifestyles. They detail how polling operations manage to get answers from real Americans who represent the public’s breadth of perspectives. But there’s a caveat that they note, and which Doug Schwartz, director of the Quinnipiac Poll, explains in detail: [the margin of error](. This election is so close that even the most experienced pollsters can’t say for sure how it’s going to turn out. Both of these articles are reminders that actually voting is the only way to be sure your views are known to those who seek to represent you in government. Early voting is open in most states, so make a plan to cast your ballot either in advance or on Election Day. Also in this week’s politics news: - [Attacks on election workers on the rise yet professionalism remains]( - [Overseas voters often ignored but could play significant role]( - [Attitudes toward female politicians have changed dramatically for the better]( Jeff Inglis Politics + Society Editor Pollsters have developed a range of methods for selecting who is asked to answer poll questions. Guido Mieth/Moment via Getty Images [How pollsters have adapted to changing technology and voters who don’t answer the phone]( Spencer Kimball, Emerson College; Camille Mumford, Emerson College; Matt Taglia, Emerson College Modern survey research does face challenges from changes in technology and in how people live their increasingly busy lives. The Federal Trade Commission is one of the main venues for government regulation of big tech and its wares. Alpha Photo/Flickr [AI, cryptocurrencies and data privacy: Comparing the Trump and Harris records on technology regulation]( Anjana Susarla, Michigan State University Big tech and its high-tech products and services play an outsized role in the economy and society. The Trump and Biden-Harris records point to how the next administration might regulate technology. Donald Trump claimed at an Oct. 11, 2024, rally that Aurora, Colo., was overrun by Venezuelan gangs. AP Photo/David Zalubowski [Aurora and Springfield aren’t the first cities to become flash points in US immigration debate − here’s what happened in other places used as political soapboxes]( Miranda Cady Hallett, University of Dayton A scholar of emerging immigrant destinations says that when anti-immigrant politicians bring their hateful rhetoric to those towns, locals tend to come down on the side of peace and inclusion. [On Ukraine, candidate Trump touts his role as dealmaker while Harris sticks with unwavering support]( Lena Surzhko Harned, Penn State Trump has stressed his personal relationships with Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelenskyy; Harris is looking to build an international coalition. [What’s in a pantsuit? Kamala Harris’ and Donald Trump’s fashion choices say a lot about their personalities − and vision for the future]( Therèsa M. Winge, Michigan State University A scholar of fashion and politics explains what people can understand about the Democratic and Republican presidential candidates − and their running mates − by their selection of clothing. [Civilian support for military coups isn’t a bug – it’s a feature]( Salah Ben Hammou, Rice University In the popular imagination, coups d'etat are strictly military-led, palace conspiracies. In reality, a majority of them have required civilian participation. [Presidential election could help decide fate of the 70,000 Afghans living temporarily in the US]( Idean Salehyan, University of North Texas While the US admitted about 70,000 Afghans into the country on an emergency basis in 2021, the measure is temporary, and these people remain in legal limbo. [Don’t panic reading ‘electoral process porn’: There are plenty of safeguards to make sure voters’ wishes are respected]( Justin Levitt, Loyola Law School Los Angeles Those depressing articles that say ‘This one secret, magic thing will overturn the election results and your vote won’t count’? An election law scholar calls them ‘electoral process porn.’ [Florida and North Carolina are making it easier for people to vote after the hurricanes – but some risks remain]( Michael T. Morley, Florida State University As Florida and North Carolina change voting rules because of the hurricanes, they might face legal challenges – and open the doors to false claims of election fraud. - [Nebraska Democrats hope Omaha will be a ‘blue dot’ on the state’s red electoral map − and their lawn sign is a vibe]( Christina Elizabeth Dando, University of Nebraska Omaha Blue dot signs are going up across Omaha to show support for Kamala Harris. Heavily Republican Nebraska splits its electoral votes, and Omaha cast its single vote for Dems in 2008 and 2020. - [What is Temporary Protected Status? A global migration expert explains why the US offers some foreign nationals temporary protection]( Karen Jacobsen, Tufts University TPS allows migrants whose home countries are considered unsafe the right to live and work in the US for a temporary period. They are not considered lawful permanent residents or US citizens. - [This Atlanta neighborhood hired a case manager to address rising homelessness − and it’s improving health and safety for everyone]( Ishita Chordia, University of Washington A trained social worker helps people without homes obtain the support they need and addresses other residents’ concerns about street safety. - [Proof that immigrants fuel the US economy is found in the billions they send back home]( Ernesto Castañeda, American University A new study finds that immigrants contribute about $2.2 trillion annually to the US economy, and that might be an undercount. - [Is America ready for a woman president? Voters’ attitudes to women politicians are radically different from a decade ago]( Angela L. Bos, Boise State University; Daphne Joanna van der Pas, University of Amsterdam; Loes Aaldering, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam A decade ago, people did not even agree on the traits that defined women politicians. Now they see women seeking political office as intelligent, rational, analytical, ambitious and moral. - [Many wealthy members of Congress are descendants of rich slaveholders − new study demonstrates the enduring legacy of slavery]( - [North Carolina is not really a red or blue state − and that makes political predictions much more difficult]( - [Harris and Trump differ widely on gun rights, death penalty and other civil liberties questions]( - [Overseas US voters get ignored by political campaigns − but could be crucial supporters]( - [Election officials are hard at work to deliver fair, secure and accurate elections – despite a constant flow of attacks]( - [Why the margin of error matters more than ever in reading 2024 election polls – a pollster with 30 years of experience explains]( - - More of The Conversation [A graphic with the words On the Records: Comparing where Trump and Harris stand on key issues]( Like this newsletter? 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