When respondents answer their first questions, they set up an account with their zip code and email. Respondents are also asked to optionally provide their name. If provided, Polco uses the name and zip code to run a proprietary matching algorithm that attempts to match that individual within a local verification list (usually the voter registration database for the city). This verification process gives admins additional demographic information such as gender, age range and voting district. Because respondents can add comments anonymously on polls or skip non-required demographic questions on a survey, verification provides admins with an extra layer of context for their results. By comparing verified results to unverified results, admins can get a better idea of the accuracy of their results and identify any potential issues.
It’s important to note that Polco places great value on respondent privacy and only reports this demographic data in group form; names or individually identifying information are never shared.
Historically, Polco has matched around 60% to 70% of its responding users on local voter files. Each user successfully matched against the verification list no longer needs to self-report most additional demographic and geographic information (age, gender, precinct/ward, etc.). This not only improves the accuracy of the results, but helps stave off survey fatigue.
Verification ensures that respondents only respond to each survey once, avoiding fraud and ballot box stuffing.
Are residents told they haven’t become verified? If not, do they get the option to become verified later on?
A subscriber is not told they are not verified, but the option to include their name during sign-up is always included.