ABC News Launches Voter Poll for 2026 Elections

ABC News is implementing a new data collection method called the Voter Poll for the 2026 election cycle to determine winners and analyze voter motivations. Conducted by the polling firm Social Science Research Solutions, Inc., the initiative will operate in 45 states with Senate or governor races, supplemented by a National Voter Poll.

The process involves contacting likely voters through online platforms, postcards, text, email, and phone calls before Election Day. To confirm final vote choices, follow-up contacts will begin at 5 p.m. local time the day before the election. This data is then combined with traditional exit polls and weighted against actual vote totals to ensure accuracy.

ABC News will release initial demographic and issue-based data at 5:45 p.m. ET on Election Day. However, the network will not project winners until the last scheduled poll closing time in each state.