Gallup brings in outside help for polling review

Traugott was brought on board in December after Gallup’s final 2012 presidential poll showed Republican candidate Mitt Romney with 50% of the popular vote, to Barack Obama’s 49%. The actual election result was 51% to 47% in favour of Obama.

Gallup’s review is taking in a range of elements: from cellphone sampling and the registered voter screening process through to measurement of early voting and the impact of ‘get out the vote’ efforts.

Editor-in-chief Frank Newport said the results of the review would be shared publicly when it is complete.

Gallup was in the news last month after ending its 20-year polling partnership with USA Today. It was described as “a mutual decision”. USA Today has yet to name its new polling partner, though it was said to be in the final stages of negotiating a new deal.