Poll: Meaning (information, definition, explanation, facts)

A poll is either an election or a survey of a particular group. The word often refers to the election itself, as the place where voters cast their ballots is called a polling station. However, polls may also be surveys that merely canvass opinions and have no binding force. In this sense, a poll is often assumed to relate to politics, but it may simply refer to any survey of popular opinion.

Usually a poll is taken by asking a random sample of people a question. The sample is then calculated as a figure of the entire population. Pollsters maintain this is generally an accurate science, but it has some critics.

Polls are frequently used by politicians in democratic countries to determine policies. Some think this is a good idea, other say this leads to a phenomenon known as "governing by the polls" which is devoid of real leadership.

See also: straw poll, push poll

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