Have you ever been called to answer Presidential poll questions?

Question

I've been a registered voter for over 20 years now. I have in every election during that time. I have never been asked to participate in a Presidential poll. Do these pollsters call the same people over and over again? Should I be insulted that I haven't been asked to participate?

Answer 1

I've never been called, but I've done the calling!

In fact I had to call 50 numbers to get one completed poll, but "thems the breaks."

The numbers are actually generated out of a random algorithm of publicly published land lines. Zip codes and/or area codes are used to balance regional population and create a representative sample.

If its done "scientifically" and you really pick random numbers and ask unbiased questions, you can be 95% sure that your results are within +/- 3% of the actual numbers if you get 1,000 responses.. You never reach 100% unless you ask everyone, and it isn't worth it to try to reach higher certainty levels because increased certainty per poll diminishes rapidly and you end up needing 50,000 people to get the next percentage point.

So everytime there's a poll you have some 1 in 300,000 chance of getting called - if you have a publicly published land line. Now what are the odds you'll be next to the phone and "willing to answer a few questions?"

Of course, a lot of the polling companies have their own agendas, so who really knows how scientific it is?

Answer 2

Once in 1992. And I've never missed a general, special or primary election since 1960 when I first became eligible to vote. But, I've lived a lightly populated state for the past 25 years. Most of these polls are weighted by population, so most responders live inside the large population belts on both coasts.

Answer 3

12 or 13 year ago i was called, but i was a registered republican , since i switched to libertarian , not once.

I'm back as a republican now so that Ron Paul can get my vote in the primary, so i might get a call again but i doubt it any 800 calls are ignored immediately lol

Answer 4

Never been called by a national poll. Never had an exit pollster walk up to me. Don't be insulted. Polls usually get it wrong anyway.

Answer 5

Nope.

Answer 6

I guess they are all calling our house. We have stopped replying to their questions, as their calls usually come at dinner time. Don't be insulted. Consider yourself Lucky! It's like jury duty...it's fun at first, and then you are trying to find an excuse to get out of it.

Answer 7

I always tell anyone who calls with a poll that I don't do polls, and hang up.

Answer 8

I know what you mean! Who ARE these people that represent our opinions. I did get a call from a poll taker from my state (PA) this year, though.

Answer 9

Not in the last 42 years.

Answer 10

I went totally mobile and no longer have a home phone. Even before that, never.