Monmouth University Polling Institute

The Monmouth University Polling Institute was a public opinion research institute located on the Monmouth University campus in West Long Branch, New Jersey. The Polling Institute was established in 2005, and was led by director Patrick Murray.[1]

In 2022, the polling analysis website FiveThirtyEight had 120 Monmouth polls in its database, and gave the polling institute an "A" grade on the basis of its historical accuracy and methodology.[2] The poll appeared on the list in 2014 with an A-minus, and received an A-plus in 2016, 2018 and 2020. The Institute is a signatory to the American Association for Public Opinion Research (AAPOR) Transparency Initiative.[1] The Monmouth University Polling Institute closed in July 2025.[3]

Methodology

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The Monmouth University Poll was conducted in a multi-modal fashion, incorporating phone calls to landlines and cell phones, and online surveys delivered through text and email. Sample selection was conducted on a case-by-case basis depending on the survey topics. Polls were weighted for demographic factors like age and also incorporated partisan affiliation for political polls.[4]

Recognition

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In 2009, the institute's gubernatorial polling received national attention, including findings that indicated the eventual winner Chris Christie's weight was an issue for voters in the campaign.[5]

In 2010, the institute's director Patrick Murray was named "Pollster of the Year" by PolitickerNJ and one of the 100 most influential people in New Jersey politics.[6][7] Murray is an occasional contributor to the Huffington Post's Pollster page.[8][9]

Closure

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The polling institute closed on July 1, 2025. University president Patrick F. Leahy attributed the closure to the "considerable resources required" to operate the institute.[3]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b About the Institute, Monmouth University Polling Institute.
  2. ^ Nate Silver, FiveThirtyEight's Pollster Ratings, FiveThirtyEight (last accessed March 26, 2021).
  3. ^ a b "New Jersey's revered Monmouth University Polling Institute to shut down in July". Politico. 12 March 2025.
  4. ^ "Monmouth University Polling Powerhouse Helps Drive the Conversation". Two River Times. 5 September 2024.
  5. ^ Corzine Points a Spotlight at His Rival’s Waistline - New York Times. Retrieved July 25, 2011.
  6. ^ The Year in Review 2010 Archived 2011-09-20 at the Wayback Machine - PolitickerNJ.com. Retrieved July 18, 2011.
  7. ^ Power List 2010 Archived 2010-11-21 at the Wayback Machine - PolitickerNJ.com. Retrieved July 18, 2011.
  8. ^ "Murray: Are Nate Silver's Pollster Ratings 'Done Right'?". The Huffington Post. June 18, 2010. Archived from the original on November 13, 2012.
  9. ^ "New Jersey Watch (Monday)". The Huffington Post. October 26, 2009. Archived from the original on November 13, 2012.
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