An exit poll is a survey of voters taken as they leave (or exit) their voting location. Unlike public opinion polls ahead of elections that predict whether respondents will vote, exit polls capture the views of voters in person on Election Day. The exit poll also reflects the views of people who voted early or by mail — we take steps to reach those voters by phone and by mail, as well as online.

For this year’s midterm election, exit polls are being conducted by SSRS on behalf of a group of news organizations: NBC News, ABC News, The Associated Press, CBS News, CNN, Fox News, and MS NOW. The companies receive the same data, and NBC News then independently analyzes and reports on the exit poll results.

The national exit poll sample will include over 75,000 voters at voting locations, online, and by telephone.