ABSTRACT
Many polls are election polls. Such polls focus on measuring voting intention and voting behavior. They attempt to measure the likelihood that people are going to vote. If they intend to vote, they are asked for their election preferences. Election polls can be used for all types of elections. This chapter focuses on polls for three types of elections: a general election, a presidential election and a referendum. Election polls attempt to predict the outcome of elections. They also help journalists and citizens to understand what is going in election campaigns, which issues are important, how the behavior of candidates affects the result, and how much support there is for specific political changes. The chapter describes two types of election polls. The first type is the preelection poll. Such a poll is conducted before the election takes place. The second type of poll is the exit poll. Such a poll takes place on the day of the election.
