First Past the Poll is a blog focused on elections, polls, and political data more broadly. Created in August 2018, the site now operates as a living portfolio.
First Past the Poll is run by Bradley Wascher (me). I am a contributing analyst for the nonpartisan newsletter Inside Elections, where I oversee all data projects and write data-driven enterprise stories about national politics featuring original graphics, charts, and maps.
I have also written as a contributing author for the Almanac of American Politics and have appeared on election night broadcasts with DecisionDeskHQ. I previously worked as a pollster during the 2024 cycle and as a redistricting consultant in 2021.
After spending 18 years in Alabama, I graduated college from Western Kentucky University then received my master’s degree from Georgetown. I’ve been based in DC ever since.
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