The Bradley Effect Poll

The Bradley Effect is referred to as an explanation for why the actual outcome in an election diverges from the expected outcome in polls. The Bradley Effect is named after Tom Bradley. Tom Bradley was the first, and only, African-American mayor of Los Angeles and served for five terms. In 1982 Bradley ran for governor of California twice against Republic George Deukmejian and despite the apparent lead in the polls, when election day rolled around Bradley lost to his white opponent. This unexpected outcome is rooted in the racial aspects which today face our country; the thought behind it is that many voters feel the need to lie in order to not be accused of racism or in order to follow what is seen as socially acceptable. Thus this effect was given the term Bradley Effect to explain that although the polls may reflect those who claim they are undecided or will vote for the African-American candidate, when they are left alone in the voting booth their actual decision is much different.

-Isabella