Critical Analysis

1. Which candidate is winning the independent vote?

2. What portion of independent voters are either not committed to Biden or Trump or remain undecided?

3. What is the big story this poll tells?

4. Why do you think that is?

5. What two groups are Trump’s strongest supporters and why do you think they support him?

6. What information would you need to know to evaluate the legitimacy and accuracy of this polling data.

7. These polling results are from national data. What information is not available in this graphic that would be necessary to accurately predict who is going to win the election?

8. How do you think this polling data will impact downballot races such as U.S. Senate, U.S. House, and Governor?

9. Which of the two candidates has stronger support from their own party?

10. Early voting has already begun in many states. Check the election countdown clock below to see how many days are left before the election. Explain whether these poll numbers will shift dramatically before then?

11. Your age group (or almost your age group) out of all the age groups are the biggest supporters of Biden. Why do you think that is?

12. How closely does the data from the chart reflect the candidate preferences of you and your family?

13. Based on the data in the charts below and above and your knowledge of American politics, if you were the campaign manager for the Trump or Biden campaign, what advice would you give your candidate about how to win the election.

14. What issue below do you think will be most salient (important) in this year’s election and how will it impact Trump’s hope of victory?*

Visual Extension

Learning Extension

Here’s the full analysis of the polling data.

Action Extension

On Thursday, October 22, students and teachers can join a live discussion with New York Times journalists about the Electoral College. Register now. The free event starts at 1 p.m. Eastern.