Ahead of an upcoming provincial election, a client engaged Decision Point Research to conduct election polling and face-to-face satisfaction surveys across Ontario. The project required reaching a niche target audience of eligible voters—people who could legally participate in the election.
The study involved intercept interviews at multiple locations across the province and needed to be completed within a tightly defined window.
The client had limited experience with intercept-style research and leaned heavily on Decision Point Research to lead the planning, make strategic recommendations, and ensure effective execution. The engagement called for not only data collection but also tactical input, logistical management, and direct field support across multiple regions.
The Situation
The original plan was impacted when the provincial election was called earlier than anticipated, introducing uncertainty around both the project launch and the fielding timeline. With compressed deadlines and a non-general population target, the client faced real execution risk.
Adding to the challenge, only individuals eligible to vote could participate in the study. This meant the intercepts had to be conducted with care and precision, ensuring proper screening while working across various public and residential areas throughout Ontario.
The client relied on Decision Point Research not just for execution, but also for expert guidance on how to navigate the unpredictability of the situation. The priority was to collect valid responses, on time, from the right people, despite the narrowing window.
Challenges and Solutions
Given the early election call, timing and logistics quickly became primary concerns. Decision Point Research had already prepared multiple trained teams, briefed and ready to deploy across various regions in Ontario on short notice. This level of preparation allowed the project to move forward quickly, without sacrificing structure or quality.
The target audience was not the general population, so Decision Point Research planned intercepts at specific locations, including respondents’ places of residence, to ensure proper representation. With experience running similar field studies, the team also tested and tracked the survey internally, identifying and noting changes to refine the data collection process in real time.
To support client oversight and maintain alignment, Decision Point Research began the project with a soft launch, enabling the client to review early data before committing to full-scale execution. In addition, the survey was offered in French, if needed, to accommodate respondents based on language preference.
Results
Despite the compressed timeline and geographic complexity, fielding was completed in just two days. All 300 surveys were successfully collected well ahead of the client’s targeted end date. The study proceeded without disruption, with data collected from only eligible voters across multiple Ontario locations.
The client expressed satisfaction with the project delivery and outcome, stating:
“Data looks great on our end! Thanks again for all your hard work in getting this study completed smoothly.”
Conclusion
The Ontario Voters Survey illustrates how preparedness, clarity of execution, and trusted expertise come together under pressure. With intercepts required across the province and only a niche audience eligible to participate, Decision Point Research delivered with confidence and precision. From soft-launch validation to full-scale deployment, the project remained tightly controlled from start to finish, resulting in complete data collection ahead of schedule and with full client confidence.
If you’re planning time-sensitive intercept research or facing a complex target audience, Decision Point Research can guide and execute with speed, structure, and experience. Contact us today to discuss your next project
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