Meet Alice, a political pollster, whose job is to gauge public opinion. How does she do this? Through political sampling and polling. Political sampling involves selecting a group of individuals, a sample, from a larger population to gauge the opinion of the entire group. Alice uses different types: random sampling, where everyone has an equal chance of being selected, and stratified sampling, which ensures equal representation from different demographic groups. There are different types of polls Alice employs. The most common is the 'opinion poll', where she asks people about their views on issues or candidates. Exit polls are conducted outside polling stations immediately after voters cast their ballots. They provide insights into voter behaviour and early indications of election results. Alice’s job is not as simple as asking questions and jotting down answers. She faces various challenges, like ensuring her sample accurately represents the population, or dealing with 'response bias', where people may not express their true feelings. The 2020 U.S. Presidential Election was a whirlwind for Alice. She conducted opinion polls, predicting a tight race between the candidates. As election day neared, exit polls were in full swing, stirring up excitement and anticipation. Through Alice’s story, we hope you've gained insight into the world of political sampling and polling, a crucial part of democratic processes which helps voice citizens' opinions.