About / History
About The Official Presidential Mask Poll™
In 2000, BuyCostumes.com uncovered a very unusual trend: the sale of presidential candidates’ masks foretold the outcome of the election. The more masks that were purchased of one candidate, the better that candidate seemed to do in the polls. Some might say that’s downright spooky (but given our prowess during the Halloween season, we’re okay with that).
So we listened, and we tracked results. We tabulated and figured. After two successful election predictions, we’ve decided that the people of the United States have spoken. Loudly. What have they said? Vote with a mask!
This year, we’re up to our old tricks with a few new treats.
The Official Presidential Mask Poll, brought to you once again by BuyCostumes.com, kicks off six months earlier. We’re tracking eight candidates, via paper mask sales, as they make a run for the highest seat in the country. We’ll track votes (based on candidate mask sales, as always) and we’ll keep tallying results through the caucuses and primaries to the conventions and on to November 4th. (Note: In August, we’ll also offer the ever-popular custom-created latex masks of the frontrunners.)
New this year:
- Candidate vote tracking (via mask sales) during the primaries / caucuses—six months earlier.
- Affordable paper candidate masks, making the mask-voting process very accessible.
- The ability to track results collectively as well as by individual states.
- A new “widget” feature allowing anyone with a website or blog to showcase The Official Presidential Mask Poll™ and its results in real time.
Quick Facts
- BuyCostumes.com is the world’s largest online retailer of costumes and accessories.
- The company began The Official Presidential Mask PollSM in 2000, and successfully predicted the outcome of that election as well as the next election in 2004.
- In the 2000 and 2004 elections, BuyCostumes.com began their polling process (tracking candidate mask sales) after the conventions, and only for the party frontrunners.
- This year, given that polls across the country have not accurately measured candidates’ success in the primaries, the company has launched The 2008 Official President Mask Poll six months early.
- Custom paper masks have been developed for Republicans Rudy Giuliani, Mike Huckabee, John McCain, Ron Paul and Mitt Romney, and for Democrats Hillary Clinton, John Edwards and Barack Obama.
- These paper masks will be sold on www.BuyCostumes.com/PresidentialMaskPoll for $0.99.
- BuyCostumes.com will track sales of each candidate’s likeness starting in February and running through November 4th.
- One mask purchased equals one vote.
- Results will be tabulated collectively for all candidates and, for the first time ever, also by individual state.
- In August, when the final presidential candidates are announced, BuyCostumes.com will also offer the very popular custom latex masks of those candidates.
- Totals will be updated daily from February through the election
The Official Presidential Mask Poll™ Historical Results
2004 Election:
- George Bush 53%
- John Kerry 47%
2000 Election:
- George Bush 57%
- Al Gore 43%
BuyCostumes.com, the world’s largest online retailer of costumes and accessories, has 100% successfully predicted the next President of the United States since 2000 based solely on the sales of candidates’ masks. This year we’re up to our old tricks with a few new treats.
Consider the 2008 presidential election the only election that can be bought! Candidates: tell your supporters to don a mask to guarantee your turn in the White House! Supporters: this may likely be your best means of voting this year.