Politics · United States · 2 hrs ago
Polling firm admits using fabricated numbers in US election surveys
Wedgewood Polling admitted using fabricated numbers in surveys about US elections, saying the work was an experiment on weaknesses in the polling industry.
The firm said it did not intend to influence an election, but some candidates say the surveys had real effects on their campaigns.
Michigan Democrat Mallory McMorrow said donors withdrew and reporters asked whether she would quit her Senate primary race.
The disputed polls also appeared in major media and forecasting services, including the New York Times and Decision Desk HQ.
The Times removed 15 surveys, while Decision Desk HQ removed 17 and said its projections of control of Congress had not changed.
The disclosure has intensified doubts about election polling as voters prepare for the November 3 midterms, which will decide control of Congress.
The case is likely to keep scrutiny on how political polls are checked and published.
Wedgewood Polling admitted that it used fabricated numbers in several US election surveys.
The company said the surveys were part of an experiment to expose weaknesses in the polling industry and that it did not intend to influence an election.
Democrat Mallory McMorrow said the polls had real consequences for her Michigan Senate primary campaign, including donors withdrawing and reporters asking whether she would drop out.
The New York Times removed 15 Wedgewood polls, while Decision Desk HQ removed 17.
The disclosure has angered Democrats and renewed debate about the reliability of political polls ahead of the November 3 midterm elections.
- Who
- Wedgewood Polling, a US polling firm, admitted using fabricated numbers. Democratic candidates and commentators criticized the firm.
- What
- The firm acknowledged using fabricated numbers in election surveys. It said the work was an experiment, not an attempt to influence an election.
- When
- The admission was reported on October 23, 2026. The surveys covered June to October.
- Where
- The United States, including Michigan and Wisconsin.
- Why
- Wedgewood said it wanted to demonstrate how vulnerable the US polling industry was to manipulation and how little oversight it had.
Wedgewood Polling
Critics of Wedgewood Polling
Purpose
Wedgewood Polling
The firm said the fabricated numbers were part of an experiment to expose weaknesses in the polling industry, and that it did not intend to influence an election.
Critics of Wedgewood Polling
Critics said the firm lied about its polling data and that its actions had real consequences for candidates and campaigns.
Accountability
Wedgewood Polling
The firm framed its actions as a demonstration of the industry’s vulnerabilities.
Critics of Wedgewood Polling
Critics called the conduct deception and said those responsible should face consequences.
The New York Times later said it removed 15 Wedgewood Polling surveys from this period.
The New York Times removed 15 Wedgewood polls, and Decision Desk HQ removed 17.
Bild reported that Wedgewood Polling had admitted using fabricated numbers in election surveys.
The US midterm elections are due to determine control of Congress.
- Firm
- Wedgewood Polling
- New York Times
- Removed 15 Wedgewood surveys
- Decision Desk HQ
- Removed 17 Wedgewood surveys
- Michigan
- Mallory McMorrow ran in the Democratic Senate primary against Abdul El-Sayed and Haley Stevens
- Wisconsin
- A Wedgewood poll placed Francesca Hong ahead of Republican Tom Tiffany
- Midterms
- November 3, 2026
What people are saying
Something is fundamentally wrong with the polls.
It was treated like a game.
These people are absolute scumbags.
Lies and fraud.