Public Opinion Polls: Be Aware Before You Share
Public Opinion Polls: Be Aware Before You Share
Public opinion polls are surveys used to estimate public support for a party or candidate and, on occasion, predict the results for an election. The Elections Act outlines regulations for how election public opinion polls may be conducted and the results transmitted. When you post the results of an election opinion poll during an election period or share an election opinion poll within the first twenty-four hours of the results being made public, you must ensure it is in accordance with these rules:
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The name of the sponsor of the public opinion poll is transmitted with the results
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The name of the individual or organization that conducted the public opinion poll is listed
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The date or the period during which the public opinion poll was conducted is listed
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The population from which the sample of respondents was drawn is clearly stated
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The number of people who were contacted to participate in the public opinion poll is clearly stated
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It is clear as to what the margin of error is, in respect to the data obtained
If results are being communicated to the public by means other than broadcasting then the content must include:
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The wording of the public opinion poll questions exactly how they appeared to those who were polled
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It is clearly indicated how a written report on the results of the public opinion poll may be obtained. This report must include; the name and address of the sponsor and the person or organization who conducted the public opinion poll, the date or period that the public opinion poll was conducted, and information about the method used to collect data from which the public opinion poll results were derived. It should be noted that a sponsor may charge a fee up to twenty-five cents per page for a copy of the report.
If you choose to conduct and share the results of an election opinion poll that is not based on recognized polling methods, it must be indicated when you share the results. Anyone who shares the results within twenty-four hours must indicate this as well.