Do Poll Results Influence Voters In Primary Elections?

[arwalden]

Poll question: Do Poll Results Influence Voters In Primary Elections?

Specifically, I'm referring to the scientific polls... NOT the online polls. Do the undecided voters use poll numbers to help make up their minds?

I've always had the feeling that some people who are undecided (and even those who are not deeply committed to their candidate) may be influenced by polling data. Perhaps it's because of their own self-doubts about their ability to make a wise choice... and will trust the opinions of others (assuming that others have already done the homework.)

Or perhaps it's because everyone wants to support the WINNER. They will wait until a clear "winner" has been established by polling data before they will become EMOTIONALLY INVESTED in any candidate at all.

What do you think?

-- Allen

Edit: Clarity in subject line. Added "in Primary Elections"

[Guaranteed]

1. It influences undecideds

They tend to flock to the frontrunner, or whoever is perceived as the frontrunner.

[spooky3]

2. I think you're right about that.

[jeter]

3. Oh the irony

nt

[arwalden]

4. You Thought Of That Too, Huh?

It made me chuckle... but it's also a good object-lessn.

-- Allen

[gristy]

5. In a 2-party 2-person race, I don't think polls have much influence

I have heard the meme of "supporting a winner" but don't buy it really. Now, in a 3-person race where each candidate is viable, people I think can use polling for a crude sort of instant runoff voting. Everyone has a 2nd choice, and if the polling shows that their 1st choice is not doing very well, they may switch to their 2nd choice, especially if the 2nd choice is doing well and they REALLY don't like their 3rd choice.

REAL instant runoff voting would be much preferable. Maybe next century. Sigh.

[arwalden]

6. You Make Some Valid Points Regarding General Elections. I should have been

more specific in my question, I suppose.

It may be too late to edit my original subject line, but I was thinking more along the lines of polls influencing voters in the Primary Elections, where (theoretically) every candidate is viable and all the candidates positions (more or less) are pretty much in-line with the voter's.

-- Allen