About this Poll
The most recent poll was conducted between Oct. 18 and 23 among 1,015 likely voters by land-line and cellular phone. It was weighted to correct sampling biases from the sex of the respondent and the region of residence. It did not weight based on self-identified party affiliation. However, the September poll had proportionately more self-identified Democrats — 48 percent versus 42 percent Republican and 10 percent independent — than the October poll, 47 percent Democrat, 44 percent Republican and 10 percent independent. The customary range in elections is between a five-point Democratic advantage and a five-point Republican one.