US election pollsters were a lot closer than people think

Even the smallest error in one direction or the other from the anticipated tight contest was bound to create the impression they had got it ‘wrong’

People woke up in the US last Wednesday morning to be told it was clear that Donald Trump had won. Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Polling of the US election has been widely criticised following the outcome of last Tuesday’s ballot. For weeks in the run-up to polling day, the polls were widely reported as saying that the result was too close to call.

Not only was there little difference between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris in terms of national vote intentions, but this was also the position in seven “swing” states where the outcome would decide who would win the electoral college vote.