Sample Precinct

Sample precinct refers to a sampling unit used in data collection and analysis on Election Day. The term is most commonly associated with media exit polling and election night projections. For voting purposes, jurisdictions such as counties or townships are divided into precincts based on geography. A precinct is the smallest voting unit in a jurisdiction. Voters are assigned to a precinct, which typically has one polling place where voters can go to cast their ballots. Data are collected from sample precincts, which are used to form estimates of the vote and voter opinions and characteristics.

For Election Day analysis, a sample of precincts is selected because it would be too costly and time consuming to collect data from all precincts in a jurisdiction (e.g. a ...