GMU students conduct exit polls ahead of Election Day to help measure polarization

CHANTILLY, Va. — In a hotly debated and intensely divisive election season, several students at George Mason University are striving to measure polarization.

Students in GMU Political Science Professor Jeremy Mayer’s Political Polarization and Socialization class are conducting exit polls to not only find out who people voted for, but how they feel about the candidates.

“Especially in the last decade, things have gotten really polarized,” GMU student and poll director Elizabeth Gillette told WUSA9. “People tend to vote for the personality as opposed to the policy and we're trying to see if that's especially true for this election.”

The first poll took place on Friday at a Chantilly early voting site on Stonecroft Boulevard where they asked voters who left the precinct basic demographic questions, who they voted for, a scale indicating their feelings on candidates, and issues most important to them.

In our expanding digital world, the voters could complete the survey either through a QR code or answer them in person.

Students will conduct the same test in one polling location in Springfield and two in Fairfax on Election Day.

“These precincts that we've chosen are the best representation of demographics in Fairfax County for early voting,” Gillette added.

Some voters believe unlike in previous elections, people this time will focus on policies and not just personality.

It’s no surprise voters are polarized in either former President Donald Trump or Vice President Kamala Harris.

“I think he [Trump] has the correct policy,” voter Nhan Huynh said. “I think he was successful in his first term and his policies are what I agreed with.”

“Kamala Harris represents my morals, my values, and my expectations for this country,” Aida McCarthy said.