Although online polls are never entirely scientific, The Town Talk seems to have a fairly good track record. During the run-off for the Alexandria Mayor’s race, The Town Talk‘s poll was within less than one percent of the official results. (They also accurately predicted the order of the candidates in the primary election). The Town Talk‘s governor’s race poll was almost dead-on.
I am also convinced by their methodology. You may think you can vote multiple times (because this type of poll gives a “grand total” of votes received), but The Town Talk only “counts” unique votes toward a particular candidate’s total.
Which is why we should all be taking note right now: After over a week of leading in The Town Talk‘s online poll, Mike Slocum has been overtaken by candidate Chuck Wagner, and Wagner’s newfound lead does not appear to be a fluke. Wagner’s currently leading by 1.2% (representing 93 unique votes), and we have all seen major elections with much closer margins. (Locally, Roosevelt Johnson missed the run-off for Alexandria Mayor by only 17 votes, and Herbert Dixon secured his seat in the State legislature and avoided a run-off by only 6 votes).
Whom would you like to see elected Rapides Parish sheriff in the Nov. 17 runoff election?
48.8% Mike Slocum
51.2% Chuck Wagner Total Votes: 3846
Obviously, the race for Rapides Parish is incredibly close, but if this poll is any indication, the momentum may be shifting, particularly when one considers that Slocum had led by a 2-4 point margin for nearly a week.

Interesting…
Whom would you like to see elected Rapides Parish sheriff in the Nov. 17 runoff election?
49.3%
Mike Slocum
50.7%
Chuck Wagner
Total Votes: 5624
I checked this today after the Town Talk endorsed Slocum (around 5pm CDT Sunday). Looks like Wagner is still holding on. Even through the towntalk’s reporting would have you believe otherwise.
Also, a comment I made on this endorsement:
http://alexandriaexpat.blogspot.com/2007/11/town-talk-endorses-slocum-in-more-ways.html
it’s on my blog and for some reason I couldn’t post it here in raw form. Take a look if you guys want.
BTW, is anyone else surprised that the Town Talk actually used ‘whom’ correctly in the text for their poll? I am.
I noticed today the TT has a “vote in our poll” link on the News feed. Seems to have resulted in another 2000 votes and a considerable increase toward Wagner.
47.7%
Mike Slocum
52.3%
Chuck Wagner
Total Votes: 7452*
* copied at 4pm CDT Tuesday