To Tallahassee and Back: Do Polls Have a Role in Government?

I think people like to take part in polls.  Whether it is an online poll about a favorite soft drink or a detailed interview about our thoughts on the big issues of the day, people generally like to express their opinion and polls are a good way to do so.  I think it gives us a sense that we can play a part in effecting public policy or decisions made by businesses we frequent.  If more people express a preference for Pepsi products over Coke products, for example, won’t that lead retailers to carry more of one and less of the other?  If a poll respondent expresses their opinion on abortion or immigration, it is comforting to believe that those positions will make their way to the policymakers who will use that data to make better laws.

When one thinks about polls in the context of government I believe many, if not most, see polls as more of a political rather than a policymaking tool.  Which candidate is favored in any given race is an example that comes to mind.  Political campaigns often tailor their message based on poll numbers.  This may make sense in a political campaign but is it a good practice to rely on poll numbers when it comes to the task of governing?

The method of polling is a big indicator of the meaningfulness of the poll data.  A web-based poll that is open to anyone who has Internet access is far less meaningful than a poll which is designed to solicit responses from people of a given age group, gender, profession, etc.  In our local shopping mall there once was an opinion research center that pulled in mall-goers for all kinds of surveys.  It was interesting to watch the polltakers walk around, clipboard in hand, and approach people seemingly at random.  Obviously, they were not just choosing just anyone.  They were looking for a target demographic.  Now, the universe of people from which to select must obviously be first and foremost, a mall-goer.  So, that already limits to some extent the responses that will be given. People who do not shop at the mall will not be asked to participate because they are not at the mall to be asked. 

Over time I was asked to participate in two or three surveys at the mall.  I suppose I was chosen on those occasions because of the color of my hair, my age, whether or not I had my wife and/ or kids with me, etc.  The polltakers never told me what it was that prompted them to approach me.  Perhaps they  are concerned that by me knowing that fact it would, in some way, alter my responses.  The best poll I participated in was on behalf of a fast-food company and its planned rollout of new breakfast products.  The poll involved me watching commercials for these products and then answering questions based on whether or not the food looked appealing, was it a good value for the price range, etc.  When the company eventually started selling those products in our area I recalled the poll I had once taken and felt a little bit “connected” to the new menu items.   Silly, I know, but I think that market researchers want us to take personal ownership of the issues we discuss with them.

So, back to the question: is there a place for polling when it comes to governing?  My thoughts are simple and my own.  A poll from a respected organization that has as little bias as possible is probably the most likely to give meaningful data.  I believe that poll numbers may help policymakers get a better understanding of the public’s mood on an issue, but should not be the sole basis on deciding policy.  If we wanted to have polls run the government then there would be no need for elected officials.  Hopefully the people we elect to office have core beliefs that won’t change because poll numbers change.  At the same time to totally ignore a well-prepared poll would be foolishly ignoring a tool that could provide practical guidance and information from the people whom that individual represents.

What do you think?  Just how extensively should poll numbers be relied upon by elected leaders when making decisions?  Please leave me a comment with your thoughts on this.  I would definitely like to engage in a discussion on this issue.  I look forward to your responses and, hopefully, some lively debate!