Introduction

In 2016, the news was filled with election polls overwhelmingly favoring Hillary Clinton to win the Presidential election. To the surprise of many, Donald Trump emerged as the victorious candidate. So how did the polls go wrong? This discussion sheds light on the crucial role statistics play in our daily lives, especially when there are significant consequences at stake.

Directions

Read the two articles links below. Why people think the election polls went wrong and what (if anything) could have been done to have a more accurate poll. Do you think the election would have turned out differently if people had access to more accurate polls? Will this information change how you view polls and statistics you hear and read about in the news? How?

Articles:

https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2016/11/09/why-2016-election-polls-missed-their-mark/

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/pollsters-and-forecasters-had-a-rough-night_n_5822c343e4b0e80b02cdee13

IMPORTANT!!!

In this discussion, it is crucial to refrain from discussing the ideology of the candidates or any personal beliefs. The focus should be solely on the statistical consequences of the election polls, maintain a neutral and objective approach, concentrating on the statistical aspects rather than engaging in any political discussions. Let's foster an environment where we can explore the role of statistics in the election outcome without bringing personal ideologies into the conversation.