Exit Polls 2012 Results; How Preliminary Poll Results Are Gathered
The preliminary exit poll results come out in full this evening giving Americans a glimpse at how the rest of the country casted their ballots.
So what information do you need to know about regarding the exit polls and their breakdown?
Pollsters also approach voters after they cast their ballot and give them a questionnaire that asked how they voted and their demographics. These chosen voters are selected at random all across the country with the results having to wait until after the polling locations have closed.
Other exit polls were conducted over the phone by Edison Media Research. An early voter poll was taken using a phone questionnaire last week. The survey was completed by early voters and those who cast absentee ballots and was based on random polling of phone numbers. These results are compiled with other questionnaires to identify the correct population of early voter's opinions.
As the polls begin to close, a majority of the preliminary data that emerge will be based on breaking down the voters. The demographics of those who cast their ballot by state will most likely appear before more detailed information on who they voted for is released.
The preliminary data will be compiled and analyzed before it's publically released. Analysts from the media are allowed to glimpse the first data points that start to appear, but no official information can be released until the release of first exit polls. Any leaked information before the release is likely not the full reporting and should be discredited until all the information is presented.
The exit poll figures will change as more information is updated. There also is a margin of error that increases depending on the demographic group polled.
The preliminary exit poll results will be posted after 5 p.m. ET.
Live updates can be viewed HERE as the results are released through the night.
