Career advice needed\question about polls and pollsters

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2. I had a neighbor who worked in polling (for Dems)

I believe his background was in statistics, however (academic, statistician). His firm also did other kinds of work, but he had an interest in politics. I don't know if that's the only or main route in, but I have a feeling it wouldn't hurt to have a course or two in statistics under your belt (at a local college, perhaps).

It sounds like you might have good writing and editorial skills, which might also be good qualifiers. Why don't you write to several firms, letting them know your skills and background, and asking them what (if any) other skills they might be looking for?