Does anyone here know much about polling?

[rzemanfl]

I am back at DU after a three year absence caused, among other things by a false sense of security and a desire for a peaceful retirement.

Twice recently I received automated calls regarding the November election. Each question began "If the election was held today and you had to vote" What is the purpose of phrasing the question in that fashion? It seems to me it eliminates undecideds and people who choose not to vote. In the current climate I think that would favor Trump.

If anyone can shed light on this I would be interested to hear from them.

[tonyt53]

1. They were attempting to make you choose instead of saying "undecided".

I always make it a little game of figuring out exactly who commissioned a poll, basing it off of the way the questions are asked. Luntz is notorious for asking questions in a manner to get the response they want, and it is to benefit Republicans.

[JHB]

2. It eliminates open-ended answers...

It is deliberately structured to reduce responses to:
Clinton
Trump
Johnson
Stein
McWhatzizname
Other

Makes it easier on the pollsters.

[rzemanfl]

3. I should have said it was a robocall.

The choices were Trump or Clinton.

[JHB]

4. Same principal, just reduced more.

The pollsters get paid for providing providing numbers, not nuance.