Change of policy: Exit polls are now permitted.

We just had a poll of DU members, and a majority of members voted to forbid exit polls. Still, we are going to change our policy anyway.

We were reading all the comments about this policy, and based on what we've read we feel that it is pointless to forbid them. Here's why: Everyone knows where to find exit polls and what they say. So we figure it's counterproductive to send our visitors over to other websites to get information. Also, we think anyone who would visit a site like DU would be likely to vote no matter what the polls say.

So, exit polls are permitted. But we expect members to clearly indicate the source for any exit polls that are posted here. Keep this in mind: Exit polls are unreliable, and exit polls from biased sources are even more unreliable.

And we hope that everyone will remember that our job is to get people out to vote, regardless of what the exit polls say.

Thanks for your input.

Skinner
DU Admin

I think it's the right call - there's just no way to stop the flood of 'em, and the mods will be busy enough.

Thanks to you, earl, Elad and all the mods!

Would rather get them here with the benefit of level headed analysis than anywhere else.

:)

... to vote, regardless of what the exit polls say"

Def indeed

thank you for trust i will take exit polls for what they are worth and we as adults can still be responsible with shakey info,........but even though it is something you may not want to do, to listen to your people on the site and reverse a decision. that is a kick ass person in my book. i am impressed

so here i will re iterate, thank you for this site, that has given me so much over the last months

people..don't email to the west coast?

On principle, I would've said not to have exit polling info... but the fact it is available elsewhere makes it pointless to forbid it here.

Also, information shall make us free. *grins*

Can we restrict exit polls to one thread or even in a different forum?? That way, those that don't want to see them won't accidentally see them - especially those that have numbers right in the subject line... just a suggestion!

I know I won't be able to resist looking, no matter where they are, and I like being able to ask people on DU their opinions about them.

The irony! :D

Proceed. I done now. ;-)

as to whether yours was a valid vote or not :evilgrin:

;-)

If a favorable exit poll convinces people to skip voting, that exit poll is 100% GUARANTEED to be wrong. Skipping voting due to exit polls is like not bothering to buy a lottery ticket because someone has told you you're going to win the lottery. It doesn't make sense. You CAN'T win if you don't PLAY.

Exit polls can be a self-negating prophecy. If they are a source of encouragement, great, but they are BY NO MEANS a substitute for voting.

If the lines are long, there's always a wall to lean against. We can't afford to lose ONE VOTE for ANY reason.

Kerry in a land... well, you know the rest. :)

should they go here? i think a lot will end up on LBN. it would be nice if we could keep them all in one place.

This is a good idea...too bad state threads can't be set up in time to segregate the ones we really want to see.

No biggie either way. But they are nice to see.

They were straining at the leash!

Cheers -- :toast: