How to Win an Election: Polls

How to Win an Election

This Week: Make sense of polls

Ever since 2016 Americans have been particularly wary of polls. Can we actually learn anything, or are they just a distraction? Join us to learn about how to actually think about polls, including what polls can do and what they can't, how to tell if a poll is "good", how to interpret polling results, and, importantly, how to communicate those results thoughtfully and transparently.

The stakes couldn't be higher for the upcoming US election, and this means it's time to pull together the very best research out there on how each of us can make the biggest impact on the outcome. Join political and data scientist Andrea Jones-Rooy, Ph.D., and a team of all-star expert guests for a very special five-show limited series that shares the latest and greatest science on what individual people can do to help their candidates win an election.

Each of the five shows tackles different ways we can each impact elections, including how to:
Get out the vote (Oct. 6, 2:30p)
Make sense of polls (Oct. 13, 2:30p)
Change someone's mind (Oct. 20, 2:30p)
Defeat misinformation (Oct. 30, 9:30p (special spooky time!))
Handle whatever it is we are freaking out about by now (Nov. 3, 3:30p)

For each show, you can expect a presentation of the latest scientific findings on what works and what doesn't in host AJR's sought-after engaging style, followed by guest presentations from experts and activists, a panel discussion, and resources to get involved. You'll leave each show with concrete ideas about next steps you can take to make a difference.

Come to one show, come to whichever topics speak to you, or come to them all! Our democracy needs you!

In the meantime, make sure you are registered to vote, and share this link with ten friends: https://www.vote.org !

Note: There are many ways to get involved in politics, including volunteering for campaigns and with community organizers and activists in your area. This show is not meant as a substitute for the ongoing excellent work by many dedicated and hardworking groups. Rather, this show is a complement: we will present an overview of the empirical research on the myriad ways individuals can have an impact on elections and empower you to make decisions about allocating your energy in the ways that are best for you.

Specific shows:
Get out the vote (Oct. 6, 2:30p): Voter turnout in the US continues to be depressingly low. Why don't more Americans vote, and what can we do to change this? From deeper, structural changes to daily nudges and behaviors, we'll synthesize decades of excellent research on what motivates people to vote, what the barriers are, and how we can overcome as many as possible between now and November 5.
Make sense of polls (Oct. 13, 2:30p): Ever since 2016 Americans have been particularly wary of polls. Can we actually learn anything, or are they just a distraction? Join us to learn about how to actually think about polls, including what polls can do and what they can't, how to tell if a poll is "good", how to interpret polling results, and, importantly, how to communicate those results thoughtfully and transparently.
Change someone's mind (Oct. 20, 2:30p): American politics feel more polarized than ever, and as a result it feels more and more impossible to connect with, never mind persuade, people with whom we disagree. But it's also never been more important to do so. Here's the best research we have on how to hopefully, possibly, maybe, help other people see the world how we do. (Spoiler: it requires also understanding where they're coming from.)
Defeat misinformation (Oct. 30, 9:30p (special spooky time!)): Misinformation might be the biggest threat to democracy out there right now, and as it stands, generative AI is not making that any better. We'll break down the different types of misinformation, how to spot it, how (and when) to correct it, and what we can all do to address this ongoing de-tethering from reality we see.
Handle whatever it is we are freaking out about by now (Nov. 3, 3:30p): A lot can happen between now and the election. In our final show of the series, we'll zoom in on whatever seems to be going most haywire -- voter rights? Abortion rulings? Supreme Court at stake? All of the above? Let's get together, make sense of it, and talk about how to channel our (extremely) nervous energy into positive change heading into election day!

Nov. 5: NO SHOW TODAY JUST FOR HEAVEN'S SAKE MAKE SURE YOU VOTE IF YOU HAVEN'T ALREADY 🇺🇲!

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