Can pollsters access people who only use internet phone service?

[napi21]

I've heard all about how their lack of access to cell phone #'s is distorting their results, but I switched to internet phone service and finally was able to give the boot to AT&T. It dawned on me that lack of access to a lot of voters just might be much larger that we thought!

[colorado thinker]

1. Exactly

That's why the polls are useless these days. Don't put much stock in them.

[MadMaddie]

2. Not just internet but cell phone service. If they are only

polling specific areas of the country and are only using land lines then all of the poll numbers are skewed.

That's why I don't believe them.

[dsc]

3. I have digital phone service via the cable company and I have been polled before

as to the central point though, they do model for this problem. It turns out that there is little difference between cell phone users and non cell phone users who are otherwise similar. So they just make sure to poll the correct numbers in each demographic cohort. That might mean people who are in their late teens and early 20's who have home phones get polled a lot but it shouldn't mess up the results.

[napi21]

4. I honestly don't know, but even Zogby said it's a concern for them.

From what I understand, especially the cell phone only users, tend to be lower income, blue collar, and thus mostly Dems. I would think that if you carve out a fairly large chunk of one group, your results will be skewed.

[On the Road]

5. It Depends on How the Numbers are Collected

If they use White Page files from local phone companies, those do not automatically contain CLEC numbers. Local telcos have CLEC numbers in their databases, but it is restricted and they can only release to certain parties. CLECs may be able to sell their own lists, but am not sure if they do or pollsters buy those lists.

They probably do not random dial, since that would mean including businesses. They could lists like Donnelly -- that would a good sample but it has its own limitations. Anyone know how pollsters get their base?