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PBS News Hour

Why primary polls appear to be so inaccurate this year

Season 2026 Episode 171 | 5m 30s

Results in some high-profile races this primary season have differed greatly from public opinion polls. In the Michigan Senate Democratic primary, progressive Abdul El-Sayed had double-digit leads in polling but won over Haley Stevens by just one point. Lisa Desjardins and Courtney Kennedy of Ipsos discussed the recent results that were at odds with polling.

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