Rating the Polls: The Views of Media Elites and the General Public

Abstract

To measure the credibility of the polls in 1984, Gallup conducted two surveys, one of the press and one of the general public. Results of the press survey indicated a favorable reaction to the accuracy of the preelection polling in 1984, although there was a division of opinion about whether the polls were better at explaining the vote than predicting it, and whether the polls enhanced or interfered with the electoral process. The public's perception of the polls was a generally positive one both as to their accuracy and their overall effect.