MidSept08.zip

Field dates: September 9–14, 2008.

Sample size: N=2,982.

Method: RDD landline and cell phone interviews (including cell-only households).

Weights included:

WEIGHT: Combined landline and cell phone sample (primary analysis weight).

LLWEIGHT: Landline-only RDD sample.

COWEIGHT: Landline sample + cell-only cases.

lvswt67: Likely voter weight (based on 7-point likely voter scale, 67% cutoff).

unlvwt67: Unlikely voter weight (complementary to likely voter analysis).

Key computed variables:

racecmb: Consolidated race variable (White, Black, Asian, Mixed, Other).

SWING: Voter preference categories (McCain solid, Obama solid, leaners, undecided).

q5horse: “Horse race” measure of presidential preference (McCain/lean McCain, Obama/lean Obama, Other/Undecided).

BATTLE: State classification into Republican, Democratic, and Battleground states.

LVS: 7-point likely voter scale (adjusted for race, age, registration, and intent to vote).

Likely voter scale:

Based on turnout interest, past voting, registration status, intention to vote, and strength of preference.

Adjusted by demographic factors (age, race).

Used to predict 62% turnout with a cutoff at 67% on the scale.