A straw poll or straw vote is a vote with nonbinding results. Straw polls provide important interactive dialogue among movements within large groups, reflecting trends like organization and motivation. In meetings subject to rules of order, impromptu straw polls often are taken to see if there is enough support for an idea to devote more meeting time to it, and (when not a secret ballot) for the attendees to see who is on which side of a question. However, Robert's Rules of Order prohibits straw polls, calling them "meaningless and dilatory." Among political bodies, straw polls often are scheduled for events at which many people interested in the polling question can be expected to vote. Sometimes polls conducted without ordinary voting controls in place (i.e., on an honor system, such as in online polls) are also called "straw polls".

The idiom may allude to a straw (thin plant stalk) held up to see in what direction the wind blows, in this case, the wind of group opinion. Other possible origins include allusion to the insignificance of straw as in "straw man".

International politics

Straw polls are used in the selection process of the United Nations Secretary-General before the actual (effective) vote.

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Sat Jul 11 14:05:54 2009

nc yr straw poll lg jpg
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Parent Directory 19 May 2008 06 11 nc yr straw poll lg jpg 07 Dec 2007 02 19 403k nc yr straw poll jpg 07 Dec 2007 02 18 151k

Straw Poll 1 jpg
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Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney waves to supporters after being declared the winner of the Iowa Straw Poll August 11 2007 in Ames Iowa

From Yahoo Image Search: "Straw poll"
Sun Jul 12 11:26:44 2009

El Paso County GOP goes surfin' USA - The Colorado Statesman
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El Paso County GOP goes surfin' USA

The Colorado Statesman

Statewide GOP candidates cruised for votes, gave speeches and tested their popularity in a straw poll . Courting votes were US Senate candidates Weld County ...



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New Smyrna trims list of city manager candidates - Daytona Beach News-Journal
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New Smyrna trims list of city manager candidates

Daytona Beach News-Journal

... city manager for economic development for Eustis was the only semifinalist to receive a vote from each of the five commissioners during a straw poll . ...



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Aberaman will launch appeal with the FAW - WalesOnline
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Aberaman will launch appeal with the FAW

WalesOnline

We held a straw poll at the club on Saturday evening and then hurriedly convened a full management committee meeting. We decided to have one last bid for ...



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From Google News Search: "Straw poll"
Tue Jun 30 07:22:20 2009

Cobb County Straw Poll
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Cobb County Straw Poll

Gray

Sun, 05 Jul 2009 15:57:23 GM

Nathan Deal took a plurality of the . straw poll. votes for Governor in Cobb County. Courtesy of Political Insider: Deal, 120 (28%); John Oxendine, 111 (26%); Karen Handel, 99 (23%); Eric Johnson, 43 (10%); Austin Scott, 35 (8%) ...

 Straw poll
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Straw poll

Owen Temple

ue, 30 Jun 2009 18:33:46 GM

Some of you have noticed the academy site . straw poll. to the left. Join in and you ll see what the rest of Consett thinks.

Don Surber Blog Archive Mitt tied with Obama in 2012 poll
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Don Surber Blog Archive Mitt tied with Obama in 2012 poll

donsurber

Mon, 20 Jul 2009 14:45:47 GM

I'd love to see a . poll. between Obama and Ron Paul. Not only that could you imagine the debate? Ron Paul would absolutely tear him apart and all his . straw. man ideas. I understand some republicans don't like his foreign policy, but come, ...

From Google Blog Search: "Straw poll"
Mon Jul 20 18:38:36 2009