Having an accurate sense of public opinion on a wide range of public policy issues is important, particularly in a modern democracy. However, these days it is especially difficult to figure out the preferences of the public. Many people are busy and difficult to contact, which means that survey response rates have been falling to very low levels. This creates a situation in which journalists, policymakers, researchers, and stakeholders only have a sense of public opinion from a highly selective group of people who might not be representative of the population as a whole.

The Dartmouth Poll (TDP) project seeks to ask a diverse and representative group of adults questions about their electoral preferences, attitudes, views, and levels of participation. The polls sometimes focus on elections, but other topics may include local issues, public policies, or other types of engagement.

If you have questions, please go to the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) of the website to learn more about the TDP project and to find contact information.