Every time SurveyUSA polls on an election contest, SurveyUSA generates a Report Card, for our own internal learning, and for public inspection.

As basic as this seems, SurveyUSA is the only pollster which systematically publishes such information.

SurveyUSA’s 2008 Pollster Report Card, newly updated to include all polling through and including the primaries on 05/06/08, is published two ways: First, showing median error; second, showing mean error.

(as always: click on charts until legible)

Earlier versions:

SurveyUSA’s 2008 Pollster Report Card, updated to include all polling through and including the Wisconsin Primary 0n 2/19/08, is published two ways: First, showing median error; second, showing mean error.

Here is an example of how the Report Card looks when SurveyUSA is one of a number of pollsters who compete head-to-head on a contest.

Naturally, there is a risk to a pollster in publishing a Report Card. The pollster might get a failing grade on a particular contest.

SurveyUSA believes the benefit of complete disclosure far outweighs the risk. A pollster who lives by the sword should be prepared to die by the sword.

If you are any good at your craft, the contests on which you earn an ‘A’ grade, or better yet an ‘A+’ grade, should far outnumber the contests where you earn a ‘B’ grade, a ‘C’ grade, or, worst case, an ‘F.’

We invite you to inspect SurveyUSA’s election work. No opinion pollster has polled on more election contests than SurveyUSA. No opinion pollster has been “graded” on more occasions.

2005 Report Card

SurveyUSA polled on 22 contests in 2005. Click on the thumbnail to see SurveyUSA’s Report Card.

2004 Report Card

SurveyUSA polled on 107 contests in 2004. Click on this thumbnail to see SurveyUSA’s 2004 Report Card for General Election contests held on Election Day.

Click on this thumbnail to see SurveyUSA’s 2004 Report Card for primaries and other contests held in 2004 before Election Day.

2003 Report Card

SurveyUSA polled on 32 election contests in 2003. Click on this thumbnail to examine our 2003 Report Card.

2002 Report Card

SurveyUSA polled on 65 election contests in 2002. Click on this thumbnail to examine SurveyUSA’s 2002 Report Card.