{"href":"http://player.captivate.fm/services/oembed?url=http%3A%2F%2Fplayer.captivate.fm%2Fepisode%2F5053f37f-78e6-4581-8a76-8d58945892bd","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Captivate.FM","provider_url":"https://www.captivate.fm","width":600,"height":200,"type":"rich","html":"<iframe style=\"width: 100%; height: 200px;\" title=\"6: What is a voter file? With Paul Westcott from L2\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" allow=\"clipboard-write\" seamless src=\"http://player.captivate.fm/episode/5053f37f-78e6-4581-8a76-8d58945892bd\"></iframe>","title":"6: What is a voter file? With Paul Westcott from L2","description":"<p>Ever noticed public opinion pollsters talking about \"matching survey respondents to the voter file\"? No? Just me?</p><br><p>Pollsters use voter file data - public records about who voted - to identify registered and likely voters. This data is used to shape election strategies and predict outcomes. Our guest reveals how raw voter rolls are transformed into powerful tools for micro-targeting and predictive modeling that campaigns rely on.</p><br><p>In this episode of&nbsp;<a href=\"https://www.crosstabspodcast.com/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Cross Tabs</a>, host Farrah Bostic and guest Paul Westcott, Executive Vice President at the political data firm&nbsp;<a href=\"https://l2-data.com/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">L2</a>, discuss the complex process of collecting, cleaning, and enriching voter data. Westcott shares fascinating insights into how L2 builds comprehensive voter profiles by combining public records with consumer data, enabling campaigns to identify and persuade key voter segments. The conversation also explores the challenges of polling methodology in an era of declining response rates.</p><p><br></p><h2>Resources</h2><p><a href=\"https://www.amazon.com/Hacking-Electorate-Campaigns-Perceive-Voters-ebook/dp/B00Y37Z5OW/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">\"Hacking the Electorate: How Campaigns Perceive Voters\" by Eitan Hersh</a></p><p><a href=\"https://www.nature.com/articles/s41597-023-02202-2\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">\"Race and ethnicity data for first, middle, and surnames\" by Kosuke Imai</a></p><p><a href=\"https://l2-data.com/datamapping/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">L2 Voter Mapping tool</a></p><p><a href=\"https://liveramp.com/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">LiveRamp</a></p><p><a href=\"https://aapor.org/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">AAPOR (Association of Public Opinion Researchers)</a></p><p><br></p><h3>Our Guest</h3><p>Paul Westcott is the Executive Vice President of Sales &amp; Marketing at&nbsp;<a href=\"https://l2-data.com/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">L2</a>, where he has significantly expanded the company's footprint across various industries, including academia, consumer research, corporate government affairs, automotive, media, and B2C marketing. With over 300 U.S. Representatives and Senators utilizing L2, Paul has helped make the company the largest provider of constituent contact data to Congress. Prior to L2, Paul worked in media for NBC News, Fox News Channel, and iHeartMedia, where he created and hosted a daily talk show and podcast covering news and politics. Learn more about L2 at&nbsp;<a href=\"https://l2-data.com/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">l2-data.com</a>&nbsp;and connect with Paul on&nbsp;<a href=\"https://www.linkedin.com/in/paultalk/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">LinkedIn</a>.</p><p><br></p><h3>Your Host</h3><p>Farrah Bostic is the founder and Head of Research &amp; Strategy at&nbsp;<a href=\"https://www.thedifferenceengine.co/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">The Difference Engine</a>, a strategic insights consultancy. With over 20 years of experience turning audience insights into effective strategies for B2B and B2C companies, Farrah helps business leaders make big decisions across various industries. Learn more at&nbsp;<a href=\"https://www.thedifferenceengine.co/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">thedifferenceengine.co</a>&nbsp;and connect with Farrah on&nbsp;<a href=\"https://www.linkedin.com/in/farrahbostic/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">LinkedIn</a>.</p><p><br></p><h3>Stay Connected</h3><p><strong>Website &amp; newsletter:</strong>&nbsp;<a href=\"https://www.crosstabspodcast.com/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">crosstabspodcast.com</a></p><p>Sign up for our newsletter to receive exclusive content, episode highlights, and behind-the-scenes insights delivered to your inbox.</p><br /><hr>","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300,"thumbnail_url":"https://artwork.captivate.fm/1b7019d1-1f8b-4504-9b6e-e86645fbf16a/1704389322147-b8d177a02d4d4125e6b214eba19fac69.jpeg"}