Overview
- Wedgewood Polls posted a statement saying most of its published surveys were fabricated and that one crowdfunded Nebraska poll was real, a disclosure that followed scrutiny from the election‑analysis site FiftyPlusOne.
- Major news organizations and data projects removed Wedgewood results from averages and projections after the admission, with The New York Times deleting 15 polls and Decision Desk HQ removing 17 polls.
- Campaigns say the bogus polls had real effects on races, with Michigan state senator Mallory McMorrow blaming a June Wedgewood survey for lost donations, damaged volunteer morale and her withdrawal from the Democratic Senate primary.
- FiftyPlusOne and other analysts say they were investigating Wedgewood and prepared to publish findings, and the episode has led to public demands for tighter verification of poll methodology, funding and raw data.
- This case follows a similar Median Strategies episode earlier in the cycle and highlights recurring gaps in rapid polling aggregation that can distort fundraising, media coverage and strategic decisions unless industry rules and vetting are strengthened.