Gold Standard Pollster Ann Selzer Retires After Iowa Poll Error; Predicted Harris +3, Trump Won by 13

Nov 17, 2024, 01:04 PM

Ann Selzer, the renowned Iowa pollster long considered the "gold standard" in election polling, has announced her retirement from election polling. Over a year ago, she informed the Des Moines Register that she would not renew her contract when it expired in 2024 as she transitions to other ventures and opportunities. Her final Iowa poll predicted Kamala Harris leading by 3 points in the 2024 presidential election, but the actual result was Donald Trump winning the state by 13 points, a significant 16-point error. Rumors had circulated for weeks before her final poll, which became a subject of controversy due to its disparity with the election outcome. Ann Selzer acknowledged the mismatch, stating, "Would I have liked to make this announcement after a final poll aligned with Election Day results? Of course. It's ironic that it's just the opposite."