2016-2020-2024 Panel Merged File
About the Dataset
- ANES Merged File
- Sample universe: Respondents that completed the ANES 2016 pre-election survey either by face-to-face or web mode were eligible to participate in the panel; this dataset contains those cases that not only completed the 2016 pre and post-election surveys but also completed, at a minimum, the 2020 pre-election survey
- Number of waves: nine (2016 Time Series pre-eIection survey, 2016 Time Series post-election survey, 2019 Panel Maintenance survey, 2020 Time Series pre-election survey, 2020 Time Series post-election survey , 2022 Panel Maintenance survey, 2024 Panel Maintenance survey, 2024 Time Series pre-election survey, 2024 Time Series post-election survey)
- Number of interviews: 2016: 2,839 pre-election, 2,839 post-election; 2020: 2,839 pre-election, 2,670 post-election; 2024: 2,171 pre-election, 2,070 post-election
- Mode(s): 2016 Time Series: face-to-face and internet, 2019 Panel Maintenance: paper, 2020 Time Series: internet, 2022 Panel Maintenance: paper, 2024 Panel Maintenance: paper, 2024 Time Series: internet
Study Content Highlights
This dataset is the result of merging data from three previously released studies. For additional information, please refer to the documentation of the source studies, the ANES 2016 Time Series Study, the ANES 2020 Time Series Study, and the ANES 2024 Time Series Study. This version of the panel dataset also contains new variables from three separate surveys that were mailed to panel respondents between 2019 and 2024. The objective of these short surveys was primarily to obtain accurate contact information however, additional questions typical of ANES studies were also included. Variables from the panel maintenance surveys employ different naming conventions from the time series variables (e.g. PM19Q1).
Study Design Highlights
The 2016-2020-2024 Panel Merged File dataset, provided in SPSS and .CSV formats, is a derivative file provided for the convenience of users. It combines panel cases from the ANES 2016 Time Series Study, ANES 2020 Time Series Study, and ANES 2024 Time Series Study into a single dataset using the 2016 Case ID variable (V160001_orig). This dataset also contains additional, previously unreleased data from the 2019 Panel Maintenance survey, 2022 Panel Maintenance survey, and the 2024 Panel Maintenance survey.
Weights Summary
Several weight variables are available, each intended to be used with particular study components or aggregations of cases. Weights should be used in analyses to accurately represent the population. For correct standard errors, users should employ procedures that take into account the complex sampling design.
Citation
American National Election Studies. 2025. ANES 2016-2020-2024 Panel Study Merged File [dataset and documentation]. October 30, 2025 version. www.electionstudies.org