Simpson’s Department of Political Science and its nonpartisan John C. Culver Public Policy Center have teamed up with Red America Blue America (RABA) Research to conduct a series of polls that lead up to and immediately followed the 2016 general election. This collaboration will continue into future election cycles.
With Iowa a vitally important swing state in the 2016 presidential election, and with competitive statewide and Congressional races on the ballot, results of the Simpson/RABA polls were watched closely by campaign officials, national and state political reporters, as well as interested members of the public.
The first poll results were announced during the week of Sept. 12.
RABA Research is a new bipartisan survey research firm, with an equal number of Democratic and Republican principals who represent nationally-recognized political professionals.
RABA representatives worked closely with Simpson faculty and students on the development of polling questions and methodologies.
Under the agreement, Simpson and RABA are developing a preferred internship program to provide qualified Simpson students real-world experience in survey research, polling methods and public relations.
“The new Simpson College/RABA Research Poll will give our students tremendous opportunities in survey research,” said Professor Kedron Bardwell, chair of Simpson’s political science department. “We like to say Simpson is, ‘The place for Iowa politics.’ This collaboration builds on that strength.”
Seth Andersen, director of the Culver Public Policy Center, said the collaboration should attract more students interested in all aspects of politics.
“This collaboration advances the mission of Simpson College and the Culver Center to promote informed, engaged citizenship and develop student leadership in politics and public service,” Andersen said. “We look forward to working with the bipartisan team at RABA Research to shed new light on important political choices and issues that Americans face.”
All three of our poll results can be found here.