The Center’s work is frequently cited in the media, and Director Berwood Yost is often contacted by journalists to discuss new F&M Poll results, polling methodology, and the implications of survey results for politics, democracy, public policy, and community services. He also writes newspaper public opinion pieces and a newsletter examining how poll data can illuminate various topics of political and social interest.
On this page, we’ll provide regular updates on what’s in the news, along with links to newsletters, op-eds, and F&M Poll releases. We’ll also provide links to news and information about the survey research field.
May 2026
What Pennsylvania’s Primary Election Could Signal For November
Berwood Yost discusses what Pennsylvania’s primary election results could suggest for November.
View →May 2026
Poll: Choice For Governor
A short video highlighting poll findings on Pennsylvania voters’ choice for governor.
View →Mar 2026
PA voters still worried about economy
New Franklin & Marshall College Poll findings on economic concerns and voter mood.
View →Feb 2026
Gov. Shapiro Budget Discussion
Berwood Yost discusses the governor’s budget proposal and its political implications.
View →Sep 2025
Political violence attitudes
Public opinion across the political spectrum on political violence and justification.
View →2025
Trump Leads in Pennsylvania Poll
Polling breakdown of Pennsylvania voter trends and electoral outlook.
View →2024
2024 Election: Battlegrounds
Discussion of the 2024 election landscape and key battleground dynamics.
View →Jul 2024
Reforming Democracy Forum
A forum conversation on democracy, civic participation, and public trust.
View →Mar 2024
Voter Emotions: Biden vs. Trump
How Pennsylvania voters emotionally respond to the two leading candidates.
View →Feb 2024
Economy, Abortion, and Policy Views
Key statewide findings on economic attitudes, abortion, and legal marijuana.
View →Jan 2024
PA voters don’t like Biden or Trump
Poll findings on candidate favorability and school voucher opinions.
View →Jul 2023
Political Shifts in Pennsylvania
An overview of how Pennsylvania politics have changed over the last two decades.
View →Apr 2023
Crime and Public Opinion in PA
Polling insights on crime, abortion rights, death penalty, and gun laws.
View →Mar 2023
Shapiro Budget Priorities
Analysis of what the governor’s budget says about priorities for Pennsylvania.
View →Recent Op-Eds
Opinion
Best practices, not marketing, make for strong polling
PennLive’s new polling partnership with Bravo Group is marketing malarkey dressed as methodological ingenuity.
Commentary
Did Trump reverse the tide or ride it?
From a historical perspective, the Trump bump is more a bend than a bounce in Pennsylvania voter registration.
Opinion
Politics, abortion, and the false consensus effect
We would all be wise to remember that our views are often not shared by most other people.
Commentary
To get action on climate change, change the subject
Climate solutions become more possible when the debate is reframed in ways that do not trigger polarized political responses.
Opinion
The GOP Commitment to Democracy
Is the Republican Party fully committed to American democracy? It is one of the most pressing questions in current politics.
Opinion
Should we retire the “wave” election moniker?
The idea of a “blue wave” raises deeper questions about structural political advantages and what election momentum really means.
Commentary
Legislatures aren’t supposed to be efficient
A smaller legislature will not necessarily reduce costs or make government more responsive and effective.
Commentary
One year later: What does Trump’s win mean for PA politics?
Disaffection was rooted in place, community conditions, and the feeling of being left behind economically and politically.
Commentary
Wording matters on PA’s judicial ballot question
The legal fight over the ballot question turned on whether the wording gave voters enough information to decide clearly.
Commentary
Can Trump and Clinton accent positives to overcome negatives?
Pennsylvania history suggests candidates with negative personal popularity face steep challenges, making 2016 especially unusual.
Commentary
There are limits to polling in primaries
Primary polling is especially difficult, and critics often overlook the distinctive challenges that make these surveys less precise.
Commentary
“Trump effect” on reporting of campaign
Reports of large-scale party switching in Pennsylvania shaped the campaign narrative, but the numbers required closer scrutiny.