Final answer:
Benchmark polling can influence voter turnout, campaign donations, and media coverage in elections.
Step-by-step explanation:
Benchmark polling can influence the outcome of elections in several ways. First, it can affect voter turnout. Reports of close races in benchmark polls may motivate additional voters to go to the polls, while apparent landslides may discourage people from voting. Second, benchmark polling can impact campaign donations. Candidates who perform well in polls are more likely to receive donations compared to those who poll poorly. Lastly, benchmark polls can influence media coverage, with major outlets relying on the data to determine which candidates are of interest to voters.