10/07 PLSI 2 SI Session

Why conduct polls?

• We want to know what public opinion is between elections.

• Helps us make early predictions abut outcomes on elections.

• Gives us more information of voter motivations in casting ballots.

• All of the above.

What are the two elements of a good poll?

• Predictions

• Population

• Sample Size

• Randomness in sampling

Why did the 1936 Literacy Digest poll get it wrong?

• Actually, they got it right.

• They predicted Alf Landon would defeat Roosevelt.

• Their sample consisted of people who owned phones.

• Biased sampling.

What is NOT something measured by political polls?

• Public opinion

• Voter preference

• Predict election outcomes

• Voter's favorite color

• Voter Motivation

Why are average Americans uninformed?

• They are very busy.

• They are lazy couch potatoes.

• They have long work hours and no energy at the end of the day to learn about politics.

• Being informed is hard work.

Voting rates in America...

• are marked by low levels of voter turn out.

• are lower in mid-term elections.

• are not near the voter turn out in other countries.

• are good.

What are some explanations on why America's voting rates are low when compared to there countries?

• We have lots of elections.

• In other countries, you break the law if you do not vote.

• Many states make it hard to vote.

• Americans often do not like the choices they have in elections.

First major study of US electorate, THE AMERICAN VOTER (1960) by University of Michigan Survey Research Center scholars, painted an unflattering portrait of Americans & their knowledge about politics.

• True

• False

Some states make it difficult to vote.

• True

• False

The Federal Government determines voting procedures for all states.

• True

• False