[Ray76]

They are predictions based upon a sample. The sample may be current, but the poll is a prediction, an estimation.

[Dave W]

You are not correct at all. They are not predicting the vote on November 8. The questions are NEVER who will you vote for on November 8. The question is who will you vote for if the election is today.

I have studied in this field and have worked in this field. I do know what I state. No one in the field believes a poll taken today will reflect the vote on November 8 because everyone knows voters change their minds, issues important today may be irrelevant on election day and an issue of low importance may become a top issue on election day.

Pollsters always like to point out that the actual percent in a poll is not as important as the trend.