America’s First Public Opinion Poll Published by the Harrisburg Pennsylvanian
On July 24, 1824, Harrisburg’s Pennsylvanian newspaper published what is considered the first U.S. public opinion poll. Though basic, it sparked a tool influencing every presidential campaign, media, and policy in America. Despite lacking advanced methods or broad reach, it marked a growing interest in quantifying public will before elections, sowing the seeds of modern…
Himanshu