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Decision Desk HQ Election Night Live Model Published in the Harvard Data Science Review

November 1, 2024 by DDHQ Staff

The Decision Desk HQ (DDHQ) team recently published an article in the Harvard Data Science Review that provides an in-depth look at their new Live Primary Model, a real-time tool for predicting primary election results. We are excited to release publicly the DDHQ Live Election Night Pulse this next Tuesday, which is a descendent of this model. This model is unique in its integration of geospatial and demographic data with sophisticated statistical methods, allowing it to accurately predict outcomes by focusing on completed or nearly completed Voting Collection Units (VCUs), such as counties or townships.

A key advantage of the Live Primary Model is its adaptability and precision. Traditional election models often rely on pre-set assumptions for each region, but the DDHQ model dynamically adjusts to live vote data and continuously updates its predictions based on incoming results. This real-time adaptability is possible due to its integration with DDHQ’s results API, which provides continuous vote and turnout data updates throughout election night, and its design includes specialized statistical techniques like generalized estimating equations and copula methods for more nuanced estimates. As votes are reported from different areas, the model dynamically adjusts candidates’ predicted strengths across regions, with more emphasis on areas sharing greater demographic or geographic similarity. This nuanced approach allows the model to respond to varying degrees of similarity, making it especially effective in capturing the high variability typical in primary races.

The model’s methodology stands out by isolating and analyzing vote data from VCUs with a high reporting completion percentage. This ensures it provides stable topline predictions, reducing the potential for inaccuracies that often arise when relying on incomplete vote data. Furthermore, the model is equipped to recognize geographic and demographic nuances, utilizing local polling data to set initial estimates that become increasingly refined as results come in from areas where candidates perform strongly.

The model’s flexibility also allows for adjustments specific to each election, such as tuning demographic weights or setting the threshold for considering a VCU “nearly completed.” This parameter adjustment is particularly valuable in the varied landscape of U.S. primary elections, where factors such as vote-by-mail prevalence, candidate familiarity, and local political dynamics can all shift voting patterns. For instance, in states with high mail-in voting like California, the model exercises caution, adjusting its parameters to account for the delayed availability of complete VCU data.

What this meant for our audience and clients were faster race calls, with even greater levels of assurance throughout the course of the recent primary season. 

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