# Wedgewood Polls data fabrication scandal

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/wedgewood-polls-data-fabrication-scandal
> Updated: 2026-10-23T04:06:32.000Z. Sources: 24. Developments: 2.

Wedgewood Polls admitted to fabricating nearly all of its published survey data during an election cycle, characterizing the deception as an “experimental project” and a “wake-up call” regarding vulnerabilities in the political polling industry. The firm claimed the goal was to demonstrate how easily unverified figures could be integrated into mainstream political narratives.

The fabrication was uncovered by researchers at FiftyPlusOne, who identified discrepancies in raw data from a Mississippi Senate survey. The fallout has been significant, with major news outlets such as The New York Times removing the firm’s surveys from their databases. Specifically, The New York Times has removed 15 surveys released by the firm between June and October.

Political figures reported tangible consequences, including Michigan Senate candidate Mallory McMorrow, who stated that a fraudulent poll showing her support in the single digits negatively impacted her donations and volunteer morale. Fabricated data also reportedly influenced the Wisconsin gubernatorial primary results regarding candidate Francesca Hong. 

In response to the incident, FCC Chair Brendan Carr warned broadcasters about the surge in fake polls designed to interfere with electoral processes and urged improved vetting to avoid amplifying hoaxes. This incident follows a similar scandal in August involving a firm called Median Strategies, which also admitted to fabricating polls.

## Claims

- Wedgewood Polls admitted that most of its published survey data was fabricated. (corroborated by 9 sources)
- The fabrication was intended as an experiment to test the vulnerability of the polling industry. (corroborated by 8 sources)
- The New York Times removed 15 Wedgewood Polls surveys from its database. (corroborated by 6 sources)
- FiftyPlusOne identified discrepancies in Wedgewood’s data through an investigation. (corroborated by 5 sources)
- Michigan Senate candidate Mallory McMorrow stated the fake polls caused her donations to dry up and volunteers to be devastated. (corroborated by 5 sources)
- Median Strategies also admitted to fabricating polls earlier in the year. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- FCC Chairman Brendan Carr reported a surge in fake and suppression polls intended to interfere with elections. (single source)
- The fake polls showed candidate Francesca Hong ahead in the Wisconsin gubernatorial primary. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-10-23: Wedgewood Polls admits to fabricating US election data

Wedgewood Polls admitted to fabricating most of its survey data as an “experiment” to test polling industry vulnerabilities, impacting US campaigns and leading The New York Times to remove 15 surveys.

11 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/wedgewood-polls-admits-to-fabricating-survey-data-1

### 2026-10-21: Wedgewood Polls admits to fabricating data in media ‘experiment’

Wedgewood Polls admitted to fabricating election data as a social experiment, impacting several political campaigns and forcing major news outlets to retract or remove the fraudulent surveys.

14 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/wedgewood-polls-admits-to-fabricating-survey-data

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Cite as: Wedgewood Polls data fabrication scandal. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/wedgewood-polls-data-fabrication-scandal