Embattled pollsters get it right with California recall

Public opinion surveys predicting a big victory by Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom in California’s recall election were accurate, the first good news in a while for the beleaguered polling industry in a campaign with national implications.

“No” on the recall was trailing the “yes” vote 64% to 36% with 70% of votes reported. That outcome tracks with the trend in the RealClearPolitics polling average in the campaign’s waning days, which stood at 56% in opposition to removing Newsom from office compared to 42% in favor as the final voting commenced in California on Tuesday. The results had to be relieving for professional pollsters, battered recently by big misses in presidential and key down-ballot elections.