How to Participate in Political Polls

Newspapers often commission political polls.

Political polls offer insight on how the nation feels about political figures and problems. News outlets, politicians, and political organizations commission telephone surveys. Some news outlets have websites that post political polls that are less scientific but open to any member of the public. Participating in a political poll is easy--if you know where to look.

Instructions

1. Answer questions from pollsters. During the November 2004 general election, The Los Angeles Times polled 3,357 voters across 136 polling stations. The voters were chosen based on the pattern of turnout in the last primary election. Go to voting stations to help improve your chances of participating in a political poll.

2. Vote on political polls through national television stations. Stations such as CNN have a political polling section on their website. Go to the CNN homepage and click on the "Politics" tab. Scroll down and click on the "Polling Center" tab. This page has a list of the latest political polls that you can participate in.

3. Register and vote. According to the website of the Los Angeles television station KTLA, from September to October 2009 the Field Poll in a telephone survey asked voters about Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. Since the survey targeted register voters, voting can help you participate in political polls.

4. Take an online poll. Online polls are less scientific but easier to participate in. In June 2003, MoveOn.org held an online poll asking members to express their preferences among the 2004 Democratic candidates for president. The poll results were then citied on the website in a posting.

References

• "The Los Angeles Times": Times National Exit Poll Results
• CNN: Polling Center
• KTLA: Poll: Arnold's Approval Plummets to 27%; October 13, 2009
• MoveOn: Report on the 2003 MoveOn.org Political Action Primary