The Topline, Special Edition: You Killed the Bid
Boston-area voters need look no further than the bathroom mirror for whom to thank or blame for killing Boston 2024.
The Topline: Four things to watch for in the Olympics debate
Which side is punching up, and which is punching down?
The Topline: US Olympics? Yes In Your Back Yard
Americans really want to host the 2024 Olympics. They want it more than they have in the past. They want it more than other countries do. They want it more than almost any country ever has.
WBUR and The MassINC Polling Group Renew Partnership
WBUR, Boston’s NPR news station, and The MassINC Polling Group (MPG) are pleased to announce the renewal of their partnership through June 2016. The WBUR Poll will continue to cover the most pressing political issues of the day, bringing Massachusetts public opinion to the center of the conversation.
The Topline: Baker hits high note with Opioid Task Force
Governor Charlie Baker rolled out the findings and recommendations of his administration's Opioid Addiction Working Group at a press conference on Monday. Recent polls on the issue suggest the administration's approach will find an appreciative public.
The Topline: Would a statewide Olympics really be more popular?
Does the WBUR poll show that Bid 2.0 will pull higher levels of support? Possibly. But there are realities of polling to keep in mind before placing any bets.
The Topline: You Can't Make This Stuff Up
A high-profile case highlights the threat of fabrication in survey research.
Comparing Actual Party Registration, Self-Reported Registration and Self-Identification
MPG's research paper presented at the 2015 AAPOR Conference.
The Topline: The Shifting Catholic Vote
Plus, how we did predicting the outcome of the casino vote in Brockton, and previews of this year's AAPOR Conference (spring break for polling nerds).
From CommonWealth: T report misses mark on absenteeism numbers
MBTA panel sheds little light on key issue
The Topline: On Opioids, Better Data Shows Bigger Problem
Plus, a local polling roundup, what Americans think about gay marriage, and an ode to the Census.
The Topline: T riders open to fare hikes for better service
Plus, our newest Boston 2024 numbers, for WBUR.
MBTA data and reports
This post will serve as a repository for any MBTA-related materials we obtain that appear in the media but are not distributed publicly. It will be updated continuously if new materials are received.
The Topline: Mass. residents "looking for leadership" on global warming
Plus a Groundbreaking Insider Exclusive Special Report on April Fools’ Day opinions, and monkeys.
Residents fear effects of global warming, but lack sense of urgency to address it
Majorities strongly support many policies in response, including investing in public transit.
From CommonWealth: Commuter rail ridership numbers don’t add up
Official data point in every direction
The Topline: Standardized Testing Unease; Boston Still Has a Little Irish in It
Plus Israeli polling fail, bracketology, and FiveThirtyEight celebrates a milestone.
The Topline - The Commuter Rail, Going Nowhere, Late
Two-thirds of commuter rails trains were late in February. The data shows it's actually worse than it sounds.
WBUR Poll: Support For Boston Olympics Dwindles
Opposition now leads support slightly, a reversal from a month ago.
The Topline: Where is Charlie on the M(B)TA?
The results of our new MBTA poll for WBUR. Plus, tackling the problem of fabricated data in surveys.
The Topline: Diving into the Boston Olympics Polling
Plus: Super Bowl data wrap-up; Obama approval uptick; early 2016 primary polling; vaccines, income inequality, education; and what does margin of error really mean, anyhow?
Announcing our bi-weekly newsletter, "The Topline"
Our biweekly email newsletter on polling, politics and data.
From CommonWealth: Olympics numbers don’t add up
Boston 2024 backers have claimed their bid for the Olympics has strong majority support. But the polling -- including their own -- says otherwise.
WBUR Poll: Bostonians Back Olympic Bid, But Also Want A Referendum
Half of Bostonians support the Olympics bid, and three-quarters want a chance to vote on it.
WBUR and The MassINC Polling Group Renew Partnership for 2015
Partnership produced most accurate polling of 2014 Massachusetts elections
Launching Today: Poll Vault and the WBUR Tracking Poll
Weekly polling and data-driven analysis of the 2014 elections.
WBUR Poll: Uptick in casino support after decision to place question on ballot
Fifty-six percent supported casinos in Massachusetts; meanwhile, all three Democrats make gains against Charlie Baker.
With convention approaching, Coakley, Berwick report strong fundraising
With delegates preparing to gather next week, Martha Coakley turned in the highest fundraising figures among Democrats, followed by Don Berwick.
Contested congressional races focus on competitive terrain
Republicans are taking their shot in the districts where they should be most competitive.
Hedging bets on casinos and the governor's race
How will the casino issue play out, and how might it impact the governor's race.
WBUR Poll: Coakley maintains lead in Democratic primary
Coakley leads Republican Charlie Baker by 9 points, down from previous polls
More from WBUR poll: voters want a say on casinos
Just over half (52 percent) favor placing a question repealing the state's casino law on the ballot this November, with 39 percent opposed.
New for WBUR: Opiate Abuse A Major Issue In Mass.
The poll also found openness to legalizing marijuana.
MassINC and MPG release Ready for Reform? Public Opinion on Criminal Justice in Massachusetts
Massachusetts residents support reforms that have saved money and reduced crime in other states.
Friday Special: Missouri Sides With Midwest in Regional Dodgeball Game
Five Thirty Eight doesn't know if Missouri is in the South or the Midwest. So we asked Missouri residents ourselves.
Criminal Justice Reform in the National Spotlight
Given that our research covered many of the topics addressed in the new national report, here's a quick rundown of what Massachusetts voters think about some of the key issues.
Dem Hopefuls Not Following Warren, Patrick Models
If any of the three lesser known candidates for Governor win in November, they will have blazed a new trail rather than followed either Elizabeth Warren or Deval Patrick's path.
March 2014 Gubernatorial Race Fundraising Roundup
Gubernatorial candidates reported $894,007 in contributions, and added just over half a million dollars of their own money into their campaign accounts.
Q2 Trend Monitor: MA residents say no thanks to more MA presidential candidates, see Red Sox going far
Results of MPG’s second quarter omnibus poll also show fans favor keeping Jerry Remy
Pew poll shows similarities in MA, national opinions on drug sentencing
A new Pew poll reveals that, on this issue, Bay State residents essentially mirror national opinion.
Grossman, Coakley with fundraising edge in early March
Though we will have a full roundup at the end of this month, here is what the gubernatorial candidates reported for March 1-15.
MBAE Survey: Business leaders want to partner with education system
Business leaders want better partnership and communication with the education system to better prepare students for the workplace.
WBUR poll: Coakley leads gubernatorial race; Markey looks strong
Coakley has leads in both the Democratic primary and the general election against Charlie Baker.
Poll for WBUR shows casino support dropping in Mass.
Meanwhile, more support than oppose full legalization of marijuana in Massachusetts.
Winning elections is not all about likability
Signals suggest Scott Brown announcing a Senate run in New Hampshire this afternoon amid upside down favorability ratings. But favorables and likeability aren’t everything—the 2012 Massachusetts Senate campaign showed us that.
Boston favors criminal justice reform
Boston residents are even more supportive of criminal justice reform proposals than are residents statewide, where support is already quite high. Three quarters of Boston residents would prefer the criminal justice system focus on prevention or rehabilitation, while the current system is seen as most effective at punishment.
Mapping MAGov contributions
Democrats Don Berwick and Juliette Kayyem have relied more on out of state contributions than have other candidates.
MAGov '14 fundraising update: February
February may be the shortest month, but gubernatorial candidates are continuing to rake in the cash. Here's where the money race stands this month.
Game over?
When does the primary election trump the general? A look at the competitiveness of the districts that voted in special elections yesterday.
State salary numbers don’t tell full story
A “whopping” increase in six-figure state salaries? Not really.
Ready for Reform? Public Opinion on Criminal Justice in Massachusetts
Massachusetts residents want the system to focus more on prevention and rehabilitation -- two things they think it's not very effective at right now.
Pickup Lines: Handicapping the GOP's chances in the State Senate
With so many factors stacked against them, open seats may represent Republicans' best shot to gain ground.
How red (or blue) is your town?
All 351 cities and towns, ranked by their votes for Republicans.
Going the distance
Which towns are becoming bluer and redder than the state as a whole, over time?
Q1 Trend Monitor: MA consumer confidence edges upward; still strong reservations about national economy
Markey reelection uncertain; Warren favorables still strong; Pats fans stand pat
State of the Commonwealth: A Public Opinion Primer
Our polling suggests Massachusetts residents think the state of the Commonwealth is indeed strong,
Hope springs eternal for Patriots Nation
More than a third think there will be a Rolling Rally next February.
MPG Quarterly Poll: More say Senator Ed Markey should be replaced than re-elected
Fewer express either positive or negative opinions of him now than after his election last summer.
MPG for WBUR: Coakley Strong In Early Phase of Governor’s Race
Both Coakley and Republican Charlie Baker appear to have rebounded from their previous defeats.
MPG for WBUR: Patrick Maintains Positive Approval Rating
Full poll results on this year's race to succeed Patrick coming tomorrow morning.
Treasure Map: Where are MAGov candidates finding their cash?
Which zips have been most generous to the gubernatorial hopefuls -- and which have given nothing at all?
Mapping Massachusetts Political History
The increasing polarization of Massachusetts politics, in map form.
Baker starts late, but dough rises fast
Baker's 2013 fundraising total is all the more impressive given that it was all raised in the last third of the year.
MAGov '14: Where is the money coming from?
Whose donors are in-state, and whose are from elsewhere, in the governor's race so far.
Small donors: nice sound bite, not much money
The reality is that, small donors aside, every campaign needs big checks to keep the lights on, staff paid, and ads running.
The strange tale of Congressman John Arden
Or, what happens when the official record of election results gets one wrong?
Where can the GOP Win? Ranking the Massachusetts Congressional Districts
Republicans face an uphill climb to break their House losing streak, but some districts present more favorable terrain than others
You can't win if you don't play
And through the 2000s, Massachusetts Republicans were not playing when it came to Congressional elections.
Recapping BosMayor 2013
A look back at our analysis of the 2013 Boston mayoral election, replete with tweets, maps and charts.
Q4 Trend Monitor: D.C. brinkmanship dings Massachusetts consumer confidence
Views of President Obama, Congress slide to new lows, but residents more optimistic about state's future.