Skip to content

About

The Franklin & Marshall College Poll

The F&M Poll is the oldest statewide public opinion poll exclusively directed and produced in Pennsylvania. The poll is recognized as one of the top surveys in the United States, and is known nationally as a highly reliable source of information about Pennsylvania politics, public policy, public affairs, and elections.

The poll traces its origins to the 1991 U.S. Senate race between former Pennsylvania Governor Dick Thornburgh and U.S. Senator Harris Wofford. In that race, the poll, at that time produced at Millersville University of Pennsylvania, identified the competitiveness of the campaign and the issues that subsequently became the key issues in the 1992 presidential election. The poll, then called the Keystone Poll, was formally launched at Millersville in 1992, and was produced there until 2003, when it moved to Franklin & Marshall.

In recent years, the poll has tracked citizen opinion on many important topics, such as voting reform, gun control, abortion, Covid-19, education, school funding, healthcare, the economy, and legislative and budget reform. Demographic indicators tracked in the survey include population, health, education, and economic vital statistics.

The Center for Opinion Research

The Center for Opinion Research at Franklin & Marshall College conducts the F&M Poll. As a department of the college, the Center is both non-profit and non-partisan. The Center is unique in Pennsylvania, since we are a full-scale survey research organization situated within a liberal arts college. Our research capabilities are greatly enhanced by our relationship with F&M.

Over the years, we have become widely known for providing perceptive survey design and insightful, in-depth data analysis to those involved in public policy, government, healthcare, and nonprofit work. Our research has been used by decision makers, in local, regional, and state level organizations, to create policy, inform the citizenry, and make positive changes in areas as varied as media campaigns, healthcare, education, government, and community services.

The Center is directed by Berwood Yost, who also directs the F&M Poll. Mr. Yost leads a highly experienced team of project managers and data specialists. He also works closely with Stephen Medvic, the Honorable and Mrs. John C. Kunkel Professor of Government at F&M, who is the director of F&M’s Center for Politics and Public Affairs. Our team’s expertise covers a wide range of areas, including healthcare, community services, public policy, marketing and advertising, customer satisfaction, education, elections, and voting behavior.

For Further Information