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This isn't strictly true though, there are any number of polling methods that pollsters use these days including online polling and essentially pre-approved call databases. One of the examples in this article was an in-person poll with 70% response rate.

It's probably more accurate to say it's harder to effectively weigh or average responses in a setting where there are 4 or 5 different channels you are collecting responses from.



The GSS spends (according to Shor) $1000 per response. It's not at all similar to the "polls that were wrong" in the election.


That’s interesting, considering I would be far more likely to dodge an in-person poll than any other type. If I see anyone with a clipboard asking people if they’re registered voters, I give a wide berth.


Public radio once had a guest describing their online polling methodology - it was running "Win a Prize" type banner ads. So probably not very representative either.




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