Polls, and the possible skewing thereof

[matt819]

I only have a cell phone. If a number doesn't belong to a customer, a possible customer, or a business I know, I don't answer it. If it doesn't go to voicemail, I assume it's a spam call. Or maybe a poll?

Is it possible that, for example, Bernie supporters answer all calls in the event one of those might be a poll.

Could it be that the way we answer - or not - our cell phones these days can skew polls?

Also, for the legitimate pollsters, are their sample sizes sufficient to reflect our current population?

[MineralMan]

1. On my cell phone, all calls not from someone in my contact list

go directly to voice mail without the phone ringing at all. I had that option available, so I took it. I'm very good about adding people to that contact list if they leave me a voice mail. However, that feature has calmed my phone down a lot. I no longer get telemarketing calls or bill collectors trying to find the person who had my number 10 years ago. None of them leave voice mail.

They have a new trick now: They call from a number that shows up on my phone as "RESTRICTED." The phone rings when that happens, and I can't block the number. I have a call in to Verizon customer support to find a way to block those calls, too.

So, if a pollster calls, they'll either leave voice mail or leave me alone. I'm good, either way.

[Garrett78]

2. It likely means respondents skew older.

[tblue37]

3. I also don't answer unknown numbers. nt

[peggysue2]

4. I do not answer unidentified numbers

Coming up from Florida, I received a spoof call, my number calling my own number. I put our cell phones on the Do Not Call registry and re-registered my landline. Though they tell you re-registering isn't necessary, I did it anyway because the unsolicited calls have been off the charts over the last few months. Drives me crazy!