I've played quite a few multiplayer games with a friend of mine on various network connections and various distances between us (same room, different state, etc.) and we've noticed that polling is different on each of our games. For instance, on his computer, he will be ahead in Pennsylvania with polls at 51% to my 49%. However, my computer will say that I'm ahead with 50% to his 49%. So when the game ends, my polling will say that I should have won a state when, in fact, he won it.
Very frustrating!!