Exit polls have a MOE everyone. They are fallible.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

I just want people to understand that fact.
They are just samplings pulled from strategic districts- just samples, like any other poll.

[SaveElmer]

1. True, but

They do have a more accurate read of turnout than standard polls if I am not mistaken.

[Zynx]

2. They certainly do.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

4. Agreed. The MOE is very small. Maybe less than a percent

but they are not definitive. I am just worried about Ohio from what I have seen.

[central scrutinizer]

9. they are the most reliable because

it is not a "likely voter" or "registered voter" sample, but a "definitely did" voter sample and catches the cell phone users, the first time voters, the unlisted phone number voters, the haven't voted for years voters, etc., that pre-election polls miss.

[LisaL]

3. So-GOTV!

[PATRICK]

5. Exit polls were "adjusted"

to take into account the "discrepancy" caused by GOP cheating last time in certain states. They and the national polls and media have been skewed toward Bush since he started running in 2000. Easily cowed to the GOP side of MOE at the least.

A landslide would settle their hash too.

[NoBorders]

6. yep, but the MOE goes down over time until polls close

as their sample size increases.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

8. True. And I see Kerry now pulling away in Ohio by 3 or 4

which makes me want to jump for joy!

[Thrill]

7. Will they actually count the votes?

[NewYorkerfromMass]

10. we'll soon see..... (kick)

[never cry wolf]

11. Exit polls are quite fallible

I am not an expert, by any means, and any polls, exit or otherwise I don't take much to heart. As much as I am dying for results, the only thing official we know is huge turnout.

Also, some exit poll factors to keep in mind:

1. The exit polls do not include all of those who particiapted in early voting or absentee ballots. - good for us.

2. I read somewhere else today on DU that repugs tend to vote early in the day and dems later in the day. - again, good for us.

3. The exit polls do not take vote tampering into consideration. Many replying to the pollseters may have stated who they "thought" they voted for on the touch screen machines, who knows what registered or what may happen during tabulation. - bad for us.

Strap in for a long night!