What is the primary purpose of exit polls?

The primary purpose of exit polls is to predict election outcomes based on individuals’ votes. When voters leave polling places, they are often asked about their choices and various factors that influenced their decision-making. This data is collected and analyzed to make early predictions about the results of the election well before the official counts are available. Exit polls provide valuable insights not just into the vote counts but also into trends, voter sentiment, and demographic patterns, helping analysts and media report on the likely outcome of the election as it unfolds.

Options that suggest other focuses, such as determining voter turnout or analyzing demographics, address related but distinct aspects of electoral processes. While understanding demographics or participation rates can be important, those elements do not capture the immediate predictive nature of the data collected through exit polls at polling locations. Therefore, the correct answer underscores the unique and crucial role that exit polls play in election forecasting.