How a Fake Pollster May Have Hurt Real Candidates
Wedgewood Polls admitted to using fabricated data in its surveys, claiming the stunt was an “experimental project” intended to showcase the “vulnerabilities” of the polling industry.
A pollster named Wedgewood Polls admitted to using fake data in its surveys, which were picked up by major U.S. publications and led to candidates losing support. The announcement has shaken trust in polling institutions ahead of the midterm elections. The pollster claimed it was an "experimental project" intended to expose how easy it is for a fabricated polling firm to gain traction and be taken seriously.
It used fabricated data in polls that were cited by outlets like the New York Times, Newsweek, MS NOW, and POLITICO. After being discovered, Wedgewood's data was removed from stories and the Times detailed its own vetting process. Another fraudulent poll, also conducted by a fake firm, had already been uncovered in August. Experts say the Wedgewood scandal highlights a long-standing issue with declining confidence in the polling industry.
One former Senate candidate claimed the fake poll cost her campaign, and a Democratic strategist said donors pulled back funding after seeing the fake numbers. The issue has also drawn criticism from the FCC Chair, who blamed news outlets for amplifying fake polls without proper verification.
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