Wacky Ways to Make Presidential Election Predictions
Looking for accurate presidential election predictions? As Election Day approaches, it seems like every news channel will reference the latest polls or how many points ahead Trump or Clinton are in the race for the White House. But as scientific and data-centric as polls can be, there are a few unconventional ways to predict the presidential election, and most are eerily correct.
The Redskins Rule
Whether you root for the Washington Redskins or you root for the team playing against them, you might be cheering for a different team depending on the way you want presidential elections to go. If the Redskins win their last home game before the election, the incumbent party will stay in power. The only time this unconventional election prediction has been incorrect was in 2004 when both the Redskins and John Kerry lost.
Presidential Election Prediction: Tie
This year, Redskins and Bengals tied 27-27
7-Eleven Cups
Although this unconventional way to predict the presidency is more logical than most, it is still strangely accurate. Starting on Sept. 6, 7-Eleven is “polling” coffee drinkers nationwide by offering politically themed coffee cups. In the past two elections, the 7-Eleven election poll, or as they call it the "7-Election", has mirrored nationwide voting percentages. But this year, don’t count too much on their poll to be as accurate. For the first time, 7-Eleven included an undecided cup to cater to undecided voters.
Presidential Election Prediction: Undecided
The poll currently stands at 31% Democrat, 39% Undecided, and 29% Republican. It certainly mirrors the polarizing perception of the presidential politics. That or Gary Johnson is going to have a great night on Nov. 8.
First Lady Bake-Off
Named the Presidential Cookie Poll in 2016 instead of the First Lady Bake-Off (Thanks, Bill), this prediction method has been able to correctly predict the presidential election outcome since 1992. Usually, the contest is between the two potential first ladies, but this year the contest is between the Clinton Family’s chocolate chip cookie and Melania Trump’s Star Cookies.
Presidential Election Prediction: Clinton
Although I highly doubt either Bill Clinton or Melania Trump have baked cookies, the Clinton Family chocolate chip cookie won a sweet victory. The people have spoken!
Halloween Masks
With Halloween right around the corner from Election Day, it is festively fitting for people around the nation to dress up as the next potential president on the scariest day of the year. Since 1996, Spirit Halloween has accurately predicted who would win the presidency based on sales of presidential candidate masks.
Presidential Election Prediction: Trump
This might be the only poll where Trump is beating Clinton by a wide margin. Trump masks are currently outselling Clinton masks by 55 percent to 45 percent.
Scholastic Poll
Although most of the students who participated in this year’s Scholastic Presidential Poll are too young to vote, they are still making their voices heard and voting online for the candidate of their choice. Scholastic has mirrored the outcome of presidential elections since 1940; their prediction has only been wrong twice. The first time in 1948 when students picked Thomas E. Dewey over Harry S. Truman, and the second time in 1960 when students chose Richard Nixon over John F. Kennedy. This year, 153,000 students nationwide, from kindergarten through grade 12, voted online or by mail-in paper ballot.
Presidential Election Prediction: Clinton
Hillary Clinton racked up 52% of the student votes, while Donald Trump received 35%. The remaining 13% split among dozens of write-in candidates.
International Society for Astrological Research
In an unpredictably crazy election year, sometimes the only place to look for answers are in the stars. Hundreds of astrologers from all over the world gathered at Costa Mesa this year and examined the placement of planets and stars to predict who will win in 2016.
Presidential Election Prediction: Clinton
Of the six astrologers who cast their votes, all voted for Clinton, but one of the astrologers gave an ominous ending to her prediction: “I just don’t see that inauguration taking place.”. Take the prediction with a grain of salt.
Academics, pundits, and political consultants spend a ton of time making presidential election predictions. But are their predictions any better than flipping a coin or choosing on the basis of who wins a football game? We will have to wait until Nov. 8 to see if these wacky ways to predict the presidency are accurate. Of the 6 presidential election predictions on this list 3 predict Clinton, 2 Trump and 1 tie. But never the less, these unconventional polls are a festive way to remind everyone the importance of making your voice heard and voting by Nov. 8!
Have other wacky but surprisingly accurate ways to make presidential election predictions? Drop us a note.