Slate Posts Top-Secret Exit Polling Numbers 134
cmdr_beeftaco writes "Slate is running an ongoing commentary with the raw exit-poll data from the National Election Pool consortium owned by the Associated Press and the five television networks (CBS, ABC, NBC, Fox, and CNN) to their news divisions and to the newsrooms of NEP subscribers-big city newspapers and other broadcasters. 'The paid users of exit-poll data have signed a blood oath not to divulge it to unauthorized eyes, and the networks have promised not to call any states before their polls close. Slate believes its readers should know as much about the unfolding election as the anchors and other journalists, so given the proviso that the early numbers are no more conclusive than the midpoint score of a baseball game, we're publishing the exit-poll numbers as we receive them.'"
Rumor Mill... (Score:4, Insightful)
Sorry, but these aren't "secret" (Score:5, Insightful)
having more information isn't a bad thing. (Score:3, Insightful)
Besides, maybe it will convince voters in certain states who were going to give their vote to a protest candidate, or not vote at all, that it's closer in some states that were expected to be solidly in favor of one candidate or another, and so maybe their vote might actually matter after all.
Sure would hate for it to come down to under a thousand votes again, and be someone who threw away my chance to change the outcome.
Of course, all this is theoretical - in my state, Texas, there's really no chance of it being close.
Re: Exit polls would throw the election (Score:5, Insightful)
> I'm glad that they posted the exit poll numbers. It looks like Kerry is firmly in the lead in Ohio which means I don't have to waste my time standing in line forever.
When too many people think that way, they risk treating themselves to a nasty surprise.
Re:Exit polls would throw the election (Score:3, Insightful)
Your vote really matters - and don't forget, those polls are preliminary.
Don't just hope for victory - go and win it.
Re:Exit polls would throw the election (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:Ethics? (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:having more information isn't a bad thing. (Score:4, Insightful)
Comment removed (Score:3, Insightful)
May as well act on it. (Score:4, Insightful)
What is this? (Score:4, Insightful)
So are we just getting an odd set of precincts reporting first, or is the official vote vastly different (statistically speaking) from the exit polls?
[tinfoil-hat]
At what point do we demand some kind of investigation, especially given the number of Diebold machines in Florida? This is the first time i've been glad for the exit polls, which will hopefully provide some check on votes getting changed after they're cast.
[/tinfoil-hat]