Marist Poll
| Company type | Public opinion survey |
|---|---|
| Industry | Public opinion research |
| Founded | 1978 |
| Founder | Dr. Lee Miringoff |
| Headquarters | Poughkeepsie, New York , United States |
Area served | United States |
| Parent | Marist Institute for Public Opinion (MIPO) at Marist University |
| Website | maristpoll |
The Marist Poll, founded in 1978, is a nationwide public opinion survey managed by the Marist Institute for Public Opinion (MIPO) at Marist University located in Poughkeepsie, New York. It ranks among the earliest university-affiliated public opinion surveys in the United States. MIPO consistently gauges public sentiment both within New York State and across the country. In 2020, its polling efforts extended to pivotal states such as Arizona, Florida, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Texas. The Marist Poll is recognized with an 'A' grade by ABC News' FiveThirtyEight and is frequently referenced by journalists and analysts worldwide.
History
Established in 1978 by Dr. Lee Miringoff, who later served as President of the National Council of Public Polls, MIPO initially concentrated on elections in Dutchess County as part of a political science course examining voting patterns. It is credited as the first college-based survey center to actively involve undergraduate students in survey administration.
Although its primary emphasis lies in political polling, MIPO also undertakes research in areas such as sports, economics, social issues, and technology, thereby expanding its appeal beyond political topics.
Methodology
Marist Polls are generally conducted through random digit dialing employing a dual-frame design that includes both cellular phones and landlines, with cell phones constituting the majority of the national sample. For localized surveys, frame proportions are adjusted based on findings from the National Health Interview Survey. Some studies incorporate mixed methods including phone calls, text messaging, and online questionnaires. Sampling frames are mainly provided by Dynata, using stratified sampling techniques organized by geographic regions. Live interviewers—often undergraduate students—reach out to participants via a Voxco computer-assisted telephone interviewing platform. Callbacks are sometimes performed depending on initial contact results. As of 2024, average response rates hover around 1%. Typical polling periods range from three to five days.
Collected data are weighted according to demographic benchmarks from the US Census covering age, gender, income, race, and geographic location. Identification of likely voters involves a turnout model that factors in respondents’ stated voting intention, interest in elections, and historical voting behavior.
Partnerships
In 2012, Marist Poll collaborated with NBC News and The Wall Street Journal to conduct surveys in crucial presidential battleground states, successfully forecasting outcomes for presidential, Senate, and governor races. Additional media partnerships have included organizations such as Telemundo, McClatchy, NPR, PBS Newshour, and Yahoo News.
In 2013, Marist undertook a study addressing performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) in Major League Baseball, concentrating on suspensions related to players connected with PED clinics and their eligibility for the Hall of Fame.
Also in 2013, Marist initiated a continuing joint polling project with HBO's Real Sports, launching with a nationwide survey of over 1,200 participants focused on concussions and brain injuries in American football.
During the 2016 primary season for both the Democratic and Republican parties, Marist temporarily halted polling activities due to concerns that polls might affect candidate inclusion criteria for debates.
See also
- The Phillips Academy Poll
- Quinnipiac University Polling Institute
- Emerson College Polling
- Suffolk University Political Research Center
- Franklin & Marshall College Poll
- Siena Research Institute
- Monmouth University Polling Institute