ST. PAUL, Minn. – The latest surveys of Minnesota voters show the Harris-Walz ticket retaining its lead over Trump-Vance. One poll found a nine-point lead.
> August 27 to August 29: Harris 48%, Trump 43%. Sample: 635 likely voters. By SurveyUSA. For television stations KSTP, KAAL and WDIO.
> August 26 to August 28: Harris 51%, Trump 42%. 426 likely voters. By Redfield & Wilton. For London Telegraph.
> August 12 to August 15: Harris 47%, Trump 40%. 475 likely voters. By Redfield & Wilton. For London Telegraph newspaper.
These are media-commissioned polls using statistical probability sampling. These techniques yield findings within three percentage points of accuracy if everyone in the pool has an equal opportunity of being sampled and if the sample. has at least 384 persons. The larger the pool, the less the margin of possible error
Who to believe
Candidates and political parties commission their own polls. Seldom do candidates release the results of these private polls unless they’re favorable. Beware of candidates who self-servingly claimthat polls are positive but don’t provide supporting information – like the pollster’s name, the survey dates, the sample size, and margin of error. There are candidates who blow hot air. Usually they’re savvy enough to know what not to tell because the survey companies they hired are committed to correct flatulent claims publicly even at the embarrassment of a candidate-client. It is to protect the polling industry’s reputation that pollsters have an ethics code to go public when a client lies.