How can we sort out all the hype, hyperbole and hysteria that accompanies the current process of electing our president? In 2024, the impacts of social media and artificial intelligence will loom large in swaying opinions! First, we will review voting history from 1945-2020. Then we will take a good look at 1) How better voter polls are done, 2) The major election issues according to polls, 3) Party positions stated, and 4) Early outcome prediction polls. We will do some in-class polls AND apply a typical corporate assessment model (CAM) to the choice for POTUS. Just 1 in 20 voters actually decide an election! Let us be a better prepared voter and be part of the “1”? We will continue to track the campaign in real-time in a 4-week course in the upcoming fall semester. 

Doug Stowell is a consumer and political polling veteran in both U.S. and EU Markets. His career includes Market Research Director for the Xerox Corp., U.S. Clients Director for the U.K. polling firm NOP, Ltd in London and Senior Polling Executive for Wirthlin Worldwide in Washington, D.C. He launched Market Resource Associates in 2008 and conducts opinion polls on U.S. and global issues today. He is a member of the Furman University OLLI in Greenville, SC and conducts ZOOM programs for more than 80 groups nationally. This is his fourth quadrennial election program.