Polling Error

Definition

The margin between what polls predicted and what actually happened—usually blamed on pollsters rather than on the people who commissioned the polls or acted on them.

Example Usage

The 2016 election featured a massive polling error that shocked everyone despite polls consistently being inaccurate.

Origin

From statistical deviation in polling methodology.

Fun Fact

Polling errors favored Democrats in 2016 and Republicans in 2020, suggesting the problem is less about bias and more about fundamental polling methodology being broken.

Source: Electoral analysis terminology

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