A Primary That Pitted Democrats Against Independents

As Bernie Sanders reaffirms his pledge to contest the Democratic presidential nomination all the way through July’s party convention, one of his fundamental obstacles remains his consistent weakness among voters who identify as actual Democrats. Results from the exit polls conducted in 27 states through the nominating contest so far […] Read more »

Donald Trump is splitting the white vote in ways we’ve never seen before

The potential for the 2016 election to widen America’s racial voting chasm even further is nothing new. But Washington Post-ABC News polls have also identified a related dynamic: White Americans are splintering along education and gender lines at rates not seen in at least three decades. CONT. Scott Clement, Washington […] Read more »

Do Sanders Supporters Favor His Policies?

… The notion that elections are decided by voters’ carefully weighing competing candidates’ stands on major issues reflects a strong faith in American political culture that citizens can control their government from the voting booth. We call it the “folk theory” of democracy. When candidates surpass expectations, observers caught up […] Read more »

NBC News Exit Poll Results: Lacking a Clear Champion in 2016, White Evangelicals Voted for Trump

Long a key group in Republican politics, white evangelical Christians once again turned out in force in the 2016 GOP presidential primaries and caucuses. But a deep dive into data from NBC News Exit Polls fielded throughout the nation this year—and comparisons with exit polls conducted in 2008 and 2012—show […] Read more »