Poll Hub

Out with the old and in with the new. CNN is updating its polling methodologies with a new approach that relies on one of the older polling modes: snail mail. Why? As with nearly all quality pollsters, CNN has had issues reaching a truly representative sample of people across America’s political groups. Jennifer Agiesta explains what’s behind the change and how she hopes it will help.

In another issue facing pollsters, a key demographic group, “White Evangelicals,” has both grown and changed. They are a critical core part of Donald Trump’s base, but they appear to be different in significant ways from self-identified white evangelical voters of the past. For instance, they appear to share a political viewpoint more than a religious one. How should pollsters respond in reporting their numbers and influence?

Finally, can you imagine a time without a phone? Lee’s fun fact this week takes it all the way back to 1937 to ask who had a telephone in their home.

Jennifer Agiesta is the Director of Polling and Election Analytics at CNN. Follow her on Twitter @jennagiesta.

About Poll Hub

Each week, Poll Hub goes behind the science to explain how polling works, what polls really show, and what the numbers really mean. Poll Hub is produced by the Marist College Institute for Public Opinion, home of America’s leading independent college public opinion poll, the Marist Poll.

Lee Miringoff (Director of the Marist College Institute for Public Opinion), Barbara Carvalho (Director of the Marist Poll), and Jay DeDapper (Director of Innovation at the Marist Poll) dig deep to give you a look at the inner workings of polls and what they tell us about our world, our country, and ourselves.

Will the U.S. default? Will the government shut down? Will Republicans or Democrats blink? Very soon, Congress must vote to lift the $28.4 trillion debt limit or there could be catastrophic economic consequences like a default or government shutdown. What do Americans think about this? And what if there is a government shutdown? Last time around (2019) 58% of Americans said the shutdown was “a very serious problem.” But, opinions tend to fall along partisan lines.

The pandemic has changed a lot about work for a lot of people. But, how many of those changes will be permanent? Some companies (and one country) have moved to a 4-day workweek. In recent polling, working Americans like the idea. Some say it prevents burnout and keeps workers happier and more engaged. We talk with Alex Soojung-Kim Pang, four-time author and founder of Strategy and Rest, a consultancy devoted to helping companies and workers “harness the power of rest” in order to shorten workdays while staying focused and productive.

You can follow Alex Pang’s work on Twitter @askpang, as well as his company's website www.strategy.rest.

Finally, are you able to remember faces or names better? Lee’s fun fact this week is all about first meetings with new people!

About Poll Hub

Each week, Poll Hub goes behind the science to explain how polling works, what polls really show, and what the numbers really mean. Poll Hub is produced by the Marist College Institute for Public Opinion, home of America’s leading independent college public opinion poll, the Marist Poll.

Lee Miringoff (Director of the Marist College Institute for Public Opinion), Barbara Carvalho (Director of the Marist Poll), and Jay DeDapper (Director of Innovation at the Marist Poll) dig deep to give you a look at the inner workings of polls and what they tell us about our world, our country, and ourselves.

Recently, Texas has been all over the news for its new, controversial abortion law that prohibits the procedure after six weeks while also allowing almost any private citizen to sue abortion providers…or literally anyone who assists a woman to get an abortion. That could mean Uber drivers, family, friends, and others. But, does the public agree with this? In 2019, we asked adults, “With respect to the abortion issue, do you consider yourself pro-life or pro-choice?” 57% said they were pro-choice, 35% said they were pro-life, and 8% were unsure. Between those pro/anti poles, however, is a LOT of gray area.

On September 14th, California voters will decide whether to recall Governor Gavin Newsom. This will be the second time in California’s history that a recall election for Governor has happened. How will it turn out? There have been a fair number of polls, but we explain why polling in California is hard to begin with – and the details of this election make it close to impossible.

Finally, we wrap up with a fun fact from Lee all about tattoos! 

About Poll Hub

Each week, Poll Hub goes behind the science to explain how polling works, what polls really show, and what the numbers really mean. Poll Hub is produced by the Marist College Institute for Public Opinion, home of America’s leading independent college public opinion poll, the Marist Poll.

Lee Miringoff (Director of the Marist College Institute for Public Opinion), Barbara Carvalho (Director of the Marist Poll), and Jay DeDapper (Director of Innovation at the Marist Poll) dig deep to give you a look at the inner workings of polls and what they tell us about our world, our country, and ourselves.

Despite broad public support for leaving Afghanistan to Afghanis, Americans are not pleased with how the troop withdrawal happened. Biden’s overall approval rating has slid to a new low in a new NPR/PBS Newshour/Marist Poll, at least in part, as a result.

Even approval of Biden’s handling of the pandemic has dropped a bit, despite the number of “vaccine refusers” declining and most vaccinated Americans telling us they’ll take a booster shot, according to another new Marist/NPR/PBS Newshour Poll.

NPR Correspondent, Hansi Lo Wang joins Poll Hub this week to talk about new Census data that’s gotten a lot of attention – the apparent big decline in the number of white Americans since the 2010 Census. But his reporting shows it’s not that simple. How the Census classifies “whiteness” and how Americans answer race questions has changed. That has potentially large implications for a lot of us, especially those of us who poll for a living.

Last but never least, Lee’s fun fact! How does Labor Day make you feel?

About Poll Hub

Each week, Poll Hub goes behind the science to explain how polling works, what polls really show, and what the numbers really mean. Poll Hub is produced by the Marist College Institute for Public Opinion, home of America’s leading independent college public opinion poll, the Marist Poll.

Lee Miringoff (Director of the Marist College Institute for Public Opinion), Barbara Carvalho (Director of the Marist Poll), and Jay DeDapper (Director of Innovation at the Marist Poll) dig deep to give you a look at the inner workings of polls and what they tell us about our world, our country, and ourselves.

One COVID vaccine has been approved; vaccine mandates are spreading fast; deaths and hospitalizations are increasing, and so are the number of daily doses going into arms.

What to make of all this info? This week, Poll Hub looks at recent polls to try and understand whether any of this will move the unvaccinated to action.

Then, Biden got the CDC to extend the national eviction moratorium, but the Supreme Court overruled him. Where will Americans line up?

Finally, Lee's Fun Fact is sure to hit it out of the park!

About Poll Hub

Each week, Poll Hub goes behind the science to explain how polling works, what polls really show, and what the numbers really mean. Poll Hub is produced by the Marist College Institute for Public Opinion, home of America’s leading independent college public opinion poll, the Marist Poll.

Lee Miringoff (Director of the Marist College Institute for Public Opinion), Barbara Carvalho (Director of the Marist Poll), and Jay DeDapper (Director of Innovation at the Marist Poll) dig deep to give you a look at the inner workings of polls and what they tell us about our world, our country, and ourselves.

After 20 years, US troops were leaving Afghanistan for the last time, when the Afghan government and security forces collapsed under Taliban advances. Immediate polling shows Americans are conflicted about the messy and deadly pullout, but it comes after a long, steady decline in support for the long war as seen in years of Gallup polling on the issue.

Then, the detailed 2020 Census data has been released and America has changed – a lot! We are more diverse than ever with people of color representing 43% of the total US population in 2020, compared to 34% in 2010. Cities are blossoming, rural areas are emptying out, and the suburbs may hold the keys to both Republican and Democratic redistricting efforts. Plus, what does it mean for pollsters who depend on the data to make accurate calculations?

We round off the episode with Lee’s fun fact. This week, we throw it back all the way to the 50’s to look at American’s pet peeves. Who knows? They may just be the same as ours today!

About Poll Hub

Each week, Poll Hub goes behind the science to explain how polling works, what polls really show, and what the numbers really mean. Poll Hub is produced by the Marist College Institute for Public Opinion, home of America’s leading independent college public opinion poll, the Marist Poll.

Lee Miringoff (Director of the Marist College Institute for Public Opinion), Barbara Carvalho (Director of the Marist Poll), and Jay DeDapper (Director of Innovation at the Marist Poll) dig deep to give you a look at the inner workings of polls and what they tell us about our world, our country, and ourselves.

This week on Poll Hub, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced he will step down in light of the recent report which found Cuomo sexually harassed nearly a dozen women. Does Cuomo have any goodwill left among New Yorkers? We discuss.

Then, job approval ratings ebb and flow. But, is the recent fluctuation in President Joe Biden’s job approval rating a sign of trouble to come? We take a look at the most recent poll numbers. 

Then, it’s Lee’s weekly fun fact. This week, the topic is dessert. Find out where your favorite after dinner treat stands. 

About Poll Hub    

Poll Hub goes behind the science to explain how polling works, what polls really show, and what the numbers really mean. Poll Hub is produced by the Marist College Institute for Public Opinion, home of America’s leading independent college public opinion poll, the Marist Poll. Lee Miringoff (Director of the Marist College Institute for Public Opinion), Barbara Carvalho (Director of the Marist Poll), and Jay DeDapper (Director of Innovation at the Marist Poll) dig deep to give you a look at the inner workings of polls and what they tell us about our world, our country, and ourselves.   

This week’s episode of Poll Hub could quote the TLC song, “What About Your Friends?” 

The team welcomes Daniel A. Cox to the discussion. Cox is the director of the Survey Center on American Life and a senior fellow in polling and public opinion at the American Enterprise Institute (AEI). The topic: the Center’s recent study about American friendship. The State of American Friendship: Change, Challenges, and Loss reveals shrinking social circles among Americans and explores the reasons why Americans have fewer friends. Is friendship a “one size fits all” relationship? How do Americans form friendships? We have the details.

Then, it’s Lee’s weekly fun fact. This week, he’s talking about the Olympics. (Nicely timed, don’t you think?)

About Poll Hub    

Poll Hub goes behind the science to explain how polling works, what polls really show, and what the numbers really mean. Poll Hub is produced by the Marist College Institute for Public Opinion, home of America’s leading independent college public opinion poll, the Marist Poll. Lee Miringoff (Director of the Marist College Institute for Public Opinion), Barbara Carvalho (Director of the Marist Poll), and Jay DeDapper (Director of Innovation at the Marist Poll) dig deep to give you a look at the inner workings of polls and what they tell us about our world, our country, and ourselves.   

On this week’s episode of Poll Hub, a $26 billion settlement was reached with four major drug companies for their role in the American opioid epidemic. We address the state of the crisis and whether or not the settlement goes far enough.

Then, are Americans content in the workplace? We take a look at Gallup's State of the Global Workplace: 2021 Report and discuss the role of the COVID-19 pandemic.

And, we call it “E.T. versus Einstein.” This week’s fun fact is out of this world.

About Poll Hub    

Poll Hub goes behind the science to explain how polling works, what polls really show, and what the numbers really mean. Poll Hub is produced by the Marist College Institute for Public Opinion, home of America’s leading independent college public opinion poll, the Marist Poll. Lee Miringoff (Director of the Marist College Institute for Public Opinion), Barbara Carvalho (Director of the Marist Poll), and Jay DeDapper (Director of Innovation at the Marist Poll) dig deep to give you a look at the inner workings of polls and what they tell us about our world, our country, and ourselves.   

On this week’s episode of Poll Hub, Dr. Josh Clinton, Professor of Political Science at Vanderbilt University, joins the team. The topic: the American Association for Public Opinion Research’s report on the 2020 election polls. Clinton chaired the committee behind the report. We discuss the findings of the analysis  and why the real headline may actually lie in ambiguity.

Then, we go back to 1979 for this week’s fun fact. The topic: women in the workplace. It’s a talker alright! 

About Poll Hub    

Poll Hub goes behind the science to explain how polling works, what polls really show, and what the numbers really mean. Poll Hub is produced by the Marist College Institute for Public Opinion, home of America’s leading independent college public opinion poll, the Marist Poll. Lee Miringoff (Director of the Marist College Institute for Public Opinion), Barbara Carvalho (Director of the Marist Poll), and Jay DeDapper (Director of Innovation at the Marist Poll) dig deep to give you a look at the inner workings of polls and what they tell us about our world, our country, and ourselves.