Position Paper 4 - Wild Card

Hannah Diffee

Professor Reppert

Media and Politics

Dec. 2024

Position Paper 4 - Wild Card

An exit poll is a randomized, voluntary survey of voters taken immediately after they leave the polling station. Exit polls can also include interviews with early voters and telephone surveys of early and absentee voters. They gather important demographic data, such as gender, race, ethnicity, age, political affiliation, level of education, and more to help the public understand the makeup and attitudes of the electorate. According to NBC, "exit polls are conducted on behalf of the National Election Pool (NEP), which is made up of members of major news organizations, including NBC." The results of election polls, which can be used to aid in projections, are released at 5 p.m. each Election Day. 

Highlights from 2024 Exit Polls

Screenshots courtesy of CNN.

Of the 22,996 total respondents, the majority of Harris' voters were under the age of 49.

The majority of Trump voters identified as Christian.

A significant proportion of Harris supporters attended college, with 53% reporting that they earned a Bachelor's degree and 59% a Master's degree or higher.

Most Trump supporters responded that inflation has caused their families "severe" or "moderate" hardship in the past year.

56% of Trump voters were married.

Most Americans who voted for Harris were black, Latino, or Asian.

86% of Harris supporters identified as gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender.

Above: This election, Donald Trump gained headway with Hispanic male voters.

More Information: 

Exit Polls Comparison: 2016 vs. 2020 vs. 2024