Congressman Conyers Wants 'Raw' Exit Poll Data

A top House Democrat who is investigating allegations of voting irregularities on Election Day wants the media to show him the confidential, "raw" data from the exit polls of voters they did this year. Rep. John Conyers of Michigan, the ranking Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, said Wednesday that he doesn't know whether the information would answer questions about whether problems at the polls led to miscounts in the presidential election. Most polling experts who have studied exit polls doubt the data would be of use. But, Conyers maintained, "if we can compare that data to some of the other information we have, it has the potential to be of significance" if it sheds more light on voters' intentions. He plans to ask for the information within a week. The media organizations that paid for the information are expected to turn down such a request. Though the media publish information, "they don't have to give anybody their notes or reveal all their methods," said Jack Shafer, media critic and editor at large for Slate, an online magazine. The polling firms that produced the exit poll data have declined a similar request from Conyers. Because Republicans control Congress, Conyers will likely only be able to call attention to the issue. His effort has been spurred in part by charges that in some states, particularly Ohio, shortages of voting machines and other problems may have been discouraged minority voters from casting ballots for Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry. Conyers held a hearing on the Ohio allegations Wednesday. [more]

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