Early Calls of Election Results and Exit Polls: Pros, Cons, and Constitutional Considerations

Abstract

The use of exit polls has made possible early, accurate projections of winning candidates on Election Day, especially in landslide elections. But the saturation of the mass media with exit poll results can produce a backlash of adverse public reactions, ranging from hostility toward polling to political apathy and nonvoting. Several states have sought to discourage exit polling by laws prohibiting ready access to voters as they leave polling places. One such law in the state of Washington was challenged in the federal court in Tacoma. It was adjudged constitutional in July 1984, but the decision was reversed on appeal just prior to the 1984 election. The issue remains unresolved as POQ goes to press. The controversy over exit polling, which has implications for both the news media and the opinion research profession, was discussed in a plenary session of the 39th Annual AAPOR/WAPOR Conference. The text that follows is an edited, condensed version of the transcripts of that session, held on May 18, 1984 in Delavan, Wisconsin.