Los Angeles Votes Project Summary

After the discrepancies in exit poll results in the 2000 and 2004 Presidential elections, controversies surrounded exit polling methodology - specifically those of poor sampling techniques, inaccurate results and skewed reporting of underrepresented subgroups, such as African American and Latino voters.

To address these methodological issues, in 2005 a team of LMU researchers implemented the use of an innovative sampling technique known as the “racially stratified homogenous precinct approach” to accurately sample voters in the city of Los Angeles. As explained in their article, Controversies in Exit Polling: Implementing a Racially Stratified Homogenous Precinct Approach, this methodology theorizes that polling data is more accurate when it targets subgroup enclaves, as opposed to singling out individuals from these subgroups who live in more integrated communities. When compared to other exit polling methods, this methodology has been deemed to produce accurate results that are indicative of the desired sampling population, regardless of diverse populations.

2013 L.A. Mayoral Election Exit Polls and Vote-by-Mail Telephone Survey

The L.A. Mayoral Primary and General Election Exit Polls will be conducted on March 5 and May 21, 2013.

Telephone surveys of individuals who elected to vote by mail will be conducted the week prior to each election.

To learn more about how you can participate and the requirements of participation, please visit www.studyla.org.

Results from these municipal elections will be available after each election. To receive updates about data releases, please email Brianne Gilbert, Associate Director of CSLA at brianne.gilbert@lmu.edu.‌

To find information about the elections see the links below:

Mayoral Primary Election on March 5, 2013

General Runoff Election on May 21, 2013

2012 Presidential Election Exit Poll

The Presidential Election Exit Poll was conducted on November 6, 2012. 150 students collected 4,411 anonymous surveys in Spanish and English from 50 racially homogenous randomly selected precincts. 2012 Results Summary

2010 Gubernatorial Election Exit Poll

The Gubernatorial Election Exit Poll was conducted on November 2, 2010. Over 120 students collected 2,536 anonymous surveys in Spanish and English from 50 racially homogenous randomly selected precincts. The results summary for this project can be viewed here: 2010 Gubernatorial Election Exit Poll 

2008 Presidential Primary and General Election Exit Polls

The Presidential Primary Election Exit Poll was conducted on February 5, 2008. LMU students collected 2,702 anonymous surveys in English, Spanish, Chinese/Mandarin, and Korean from 50 racially homogenous randomly selected precincts. The results summary for the primary can be viewed here: 2008 Presidential Primary Election Exit Poll

The Presidential General Election Exit Poll took place on November 4, 2008. LMU students collected 2,725 anonymous surveys in English and Spanish from 50 racially homogenous randomly selected precincts. The results summary for the general election can be viewed here: 2008 Presidential General Election Exit Poll

2005 Los Angeles Votes Pilot Project

The 2005 Mayoral Exit Poll was conducted on May 17, 2005. LMU students collected 1,743 anonymous surveys in English and Spanish from 50 racially homogenous randomly selected precincts.