We’ve come to expect the results of exit polls that predict the likely outcome of primary and general elections, but you may have noticed Tuesday night that news outlets used “entrance polls” instead. They’re done the same way, except that people are polled before they enter the caucus rather than after voting. CNN noted the distinction at the bottom of its chart showing the poll results. A key reason: time. Voting occurs all day, but caucuses don’t start until the evening. And caucusing can take longer than simply going into a booth and voting, with neighbors discussing the party platform and giving speeches to persuade one another to support their candidates. If polling were done after people left the caucus, the polls wouldn’t have much predictive value. || Related: “Momentum” was the dominant theme of news coverage in the two weeks leading up to the caucuses (PEJ)
Uncategorized
Why news outlets used entrance polls for Iowa caucus
More News
How Poynter transformed a hands-on workshop into an email course
Lessons learned from an experiment in building a new journalism project
April 24, 2024
Opinion | Journalists at Columbia are leading the coverage of their campus
The Columbia Daily Spectator has expertly documented tense protests over the Israel-Hamas war inside and outside the campus.
April 24, 2024
Q&A: Mina Kimes on her run from acclaimed sportswriter to Emmy-nominated NFL Analyst
The ESPN star explains how she got over her fears (and the trolls) to get better at discussing the sport she loves
April 24, 2024
No, Morton Salt and other table salts do not contain sand and glass
Excessive consumption of salt can cause hypertension because of the sodium it contains — not because of glass in the salt
April 24, 2024
Opinion | Everyday sexism has no place in sports journalism
The conversation around Gregg Doyel’s comments to Caitlin Clark failed to address larger, systemic issues that could lead to better journalism
April 23, 2024