The midterm elections are right around the corner. Here’s how to make sense of the news, pinpoint trusted sources and cast your vote.
What polls can and cannot tell us
Seeing your preferred candidate fall behind in the polls can be discouraging. But it doesn’t mean he/she won’t win.
Missouri State University instructor of information technology and cybersecurity Dr. Raju Mainali explains that polling doesn’t always show us the full picture.
“A weak sample size and poor methods can cause a poll to yield inaccurate information,” Mainali said.
“The location where polling is conducted and demographics of the participants can cause sampling errors.”
If you see a poll that seems inaccurate, look for potential biases and consider:
- Is this a trusted source for news and data collection?
- Is the source sharing how they gathered this information?
- Do the individuals who were polled reflect the demographics of your community?
“Timing is another crucial factor,” Mainali said. “The closer you get to the elections, the more likely the polls are to reflect how people will vote.”
Focus on trusted sources
It can be difficult to tell what information can or cannot be trusted. But there are a few things you can do to ensure you’re getting credible information:
- Learn to spot disinformation.
- Seek nonpartisan literature on the candidates and issues on your ballot.
- Remember that social media is not the best place to get your news.
If you see something concerning on your feed, that’s when it’s time to do your own research and seek information from a credible news source.
One source for students is Missouri State’s Paws to the Polls initiative. It was established to advocate for student voters on campus. The nonpartisan resource provides voter support and education through their website and print publications, tabling, meetings and more.
Learn more about Paws to the Polls
Voter ID requirements have changed
The midterm elections are Nov. 8, 2022.
In 2022, the state of Missouri passed new voter identification (ID) requirements.
To vote in the state of Missouri, you must be registered and provide a valid ID in the form of:
- A nonexpired Missouri driver or non-driver license.
- A nonexpired military ID, including a veteran’s ID card.
- A nonexpired United States passport or another photo ID issued by the United States or the state of Missouri which is either not expired or expired after the date of the most recent general election.