Trump May Have More Supporters Than Polls Suggest, Study Says
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Polls may be underestimating the public's support for Donald Trump's presidential candidacy, according to a new analysis by a polling firm.
The firm, Morning Consult, found that there are likely some "closet" Trump supporters -- primarily college-educated Republicans -- who have not vocalized their support for the candidate due to a concern of being viewed unfavorably. It's a phenomenon called "social desirability bias."
The firm found that among 2,397 likely Republican voters, Trump polled 6 points higher in anonymous, online polling, as compared to polling in which they were asked for their preferred candidate by a person over the phone, the Los Angeles Times reported.
Trump had 38 percent support among those polled online, and 32 percent support among those polled by a human, over the phone.
The discrepancy was greatest among college-educated Republicans, with whom Trump scored 9 points better in the online poll.
Blue-collar voters showed a very small difference in their support for Trump in online and phone polls.
