1 1 <p><strong>Poll Average</strong>: The average of recent public opinion surveys for that state by credible local and national polling organizations. In the early stages of the race, this average may include polls taken as much as a month earlier. As we move into late-September and October--when public opinion begins to solidify as voters start paying attention--the window in the most contested states will narrow to polls taken within the past two weeks.</p> <p>"Credible" local and national polling will include those organizations with a proven track record for accuracy. Organizations with unproven polling techniques (such as online sampling) will be dropped from poll averages.</p> <p><br /><strong>Daily Tracking Poll National Average</strong>: This national average, updated daily on our homepage banner, includes only those surveys that track national voter sentiment on a <em>daily </em>basis. This&nbsp;average is now limited to the two organizations conducting daily samples: Gallup and Rasmussen. As we move closer to Election Day, this average may expand to include other daily surveys as they become available.</p> <p><strong>National Poll Average/President</strong>: This national average, updated daily in the <em>Tracking the Nation</em> section on our homepage, includes all credible national public opinion surveys taken over the past two weeks, including periodic and daily tracking.</p> 2008-08-22T15:43:56-04:00 19 true 2008-08-22T15:47:38-04:00 2008-09-30T01:27:20-04:00