Poll Hub Podcast

Poll Hub goes behind the science to explain how polling works, what polls really show, and what the numbers really mean.

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Oct 15, 2026

Will the Cornell Case Lead to Real Changes

Our latest Marist Texas and Iowa Polls explore the state of the 2026 midterm elections, including key Senate and governor’s races, President Trump’s influence, and the issues shaping voters’ choices. Plus, we look at whether women trust the institutions responsible for handling sexual-assault reports, what the polling reveals about confidence in campus investigations, and the broader debate over sexual-assault policies.

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Oct 08, 2026

Boomer Retirement Surprises

With the 2026 midterms just weeks away, we break down our latest polls from New York and Maine. From the races for governor and U.S. Senate to how voters view President Trump and their own finances, we have the data. Then, as Social Security's retirement fund is projected to run short in 2032, we look at the gap between how Americans plan for retirement and how it actually plays out and why Social Security matters more than most workers expect. Plus, apple picking, football, or cooler weather? We share what we're looking forward to most this fall.

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Oct 01, 2026

Midwest Midterm Matchup

Ohio and Michigan voters head toward the 2026 midterm elections with hotly contested races, mixed views of President Trump, and concerns about their personal finances. We look at our latest Marist Poll numbers from both states, what is driving voters’ views, and how the Midwest is shaping up ahead of November. Plus, a 2012 fun fact asks where Americans’ favorite place is to hide their money in their home.

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Sep 24, 2026

Could These Red States Really Turn Blue?

The latest polling looks at the 2026 midterms, while a new kind of pricing raises questions about how much your personal data is worth. We start with a national poll AND our first battleground state polls in Iowa and Texas. Who'd have thought either would be competitive!?! then we're looking at what seems to be a pretty pernicious practice -- prices shifting based on who you are. And the fun fact is Gotham-tastic!

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Sep 17, 2026

Killer AI Goes Mainstream

AI has officially entered the conversation about whether it could become a threat to humanity. We look at the growing unease around artificial intelligence, from fears about AI going rogue to concerns about losing jobs. We also explore whether “killer AI” could become a political issue, why data centers have already become part of political campaigns, and what it means for kids who are growing up with AI as part of everyday life.

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Sep 10, 2026

Blame Canada? How Trump's Trade War Could Impact the Midterms

Canada has answered U.S. tariffs with tariffs of its own, escalating tensions between two longtime trading partners. We examine what the trade fight means for the U.S.-Canada relationship, American states and industries that depend on Canadian trade, and what Americans think about the tariffs. Then, we ask who Americans trust for information -- AND, what makes an expert? Doctors, nurses and scientists continue to receive substantial public confidence, but social media, personal experience and AI are giving Americans more sources to turn to. And, our fun fact takes us back to 1980, when Americans were asked a simple question about their television habits.

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Sep 04, 2026

Flock Cameras: The Next Surprise Election Issue

Flock cameras have quickly become an unexpected election issue in communities across the country. New polling shows Americans are increasingly skeptical of automated license-plate readers, even as many recognize their potential to help law enforcement solve crimes. The debate is about privacy, data access, and oversight. We’re also looking at how Americans are raising their children and how much of that comes from their own childhoods. Parents are nearly split between raising their kids similarly to how they were raised and taking a different approach, with many trying to provide more affection, openness, and emotional support than they experienced themselves.

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Aug 27, 2026

Problem Polls, Billionaires, and One Big Goodbye

Wisconsin's Democratic gubernatorial primary may be the clearest case study yet in why primary polling goes wrong. The final Marquette Law School Poll showed Francesca Hong with a commanding lead and David Crowley in single digits. Crowley won. G. Elliott Morris joins us to analyze what broke down, and what pollsters should take from it before the midterms. Then, we dig into America’s long-running debate over the ultra-wealthy. Today’s billionaires may face growing criticism, but polling shows Americans have wrestled with questions about wealth and fairness for decades. And lastly, its AJ's final podcast.

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Aug 20, 2026

Changing Roles, Changing Rules

Women have transformed the American workforce, but has life at home changed just as much? We look at the shift from traditional family roles to two-parent, full-time working families, and why women still report taking on more parenting and household responsibilities. Then, we examine changing attitudes toward the military draft, from the end of the draft in 1973 to today's debate over automatic Selective Service registration and whether women should be subject to the same requirements as men. And, our fun fact goes back to 1949, when Gallup asked Americans a very practical question: How do you keep cool?

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Aug 14, 2026

The Future of MAGA

As the 2026 midterms approach, we're asking the question hanging over American politics: does MAGA = Trump = GOP? We dig into whether the movement can survive without Trump on the ballot, the enthusiasm gap opening up between the parties, and what the 2018 playbook tells us about November. Then, we look at criminal records. One in three American adults has one, and for millions, it came from an arrest that never led to a conviction. We explore the barriers that follow people into work, housing, and the voting booth, and why bipartisan majorities back reform even as the system stays the same. And our fun fact heads back to 1950, when Gallup asked Americans a simple question: can you swim?

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