Religion in the 2008 Presidential Election
An analysis of newly released exit poll data finds that Barack Obama succeeded in attracting a larger share of the vote among some religious groups than John Kerry did in 2004. The contours of religion and politics, however, were largely the same in 2008 as in 2004.
A Look at Religious Voters in the 2008 Election
Two experts examine the role that religion played in the 2008 presidential election and discuss implications for the future.
Perils of Polling in Election ’08
Despite such challenges as a growing wireless-only population, possible racially-related response bias and greater-than-usual difficulties in forecasting turnout, polllsters’ methods were evidently adequate to the task.
Dissecting the 2008 Electorate: Most Diverse in U.S. History
The electorate in last year’s presidential election was the most racially and ethnically diverse in U.S. history, with nearly one-in-four votes cast by non-whites, according to a new analysis of Census Bureau data.
Dissecting the 2008 Electorate: Most Diverse in U.S. History
Demographic changes in America have increased the number of eligible non-white voters, but the racial and ethnic diversity of last year’s electorate was also driven by substantially higher levels of participation by black, Hispanic and Asian voters.
The Internet’s Role in Campaign 2008
Three-quarters (74%) of internet users went online during the 2008 election to take part in, or get news and information about the 2008 campaign. This represents 55% of the entire U.S. adult population.
Hispanics and the New Administration: Immigration Slips as a Priority
Latinos, who heavily supported Obama in the November election, rate such issues as the economy, health care and education as the more important issues facing the country. Hispanics were more likely to be first time voters than the general public.
Calling Cell Phones In ’08 Pre-Election Polls
The latest study of Pew Research Center election surveys analyzes the effects of conducting both landline and cell phone interviews. While the addition of cell phones had at most a modest effect on estimates of candidate support in individual surveys, when looked at in the aggregate clear patterns emerge.
How the Media Covered Religion
Religion played a much more significant role in press treatment of Obama than of McCain during the 2008 campaign, but much of the coverage related to false yet persistent rumors that Obama is a Muslim.
Young Voters in the 2008 Election
This year, 66% of those under age 30 voted for Barack Obama making the disparity between young voters and other age groups larger than in any presidential election since exit polling began in 1972.
