this post was submitted on 08 Oct 2024
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Received a text from a pollster asking me who I'm going to vote for, is there any good reason to respond?

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[–] [email protected] 29 points 1 month ago

No, you will be added to a list that gets sold around. Better to keep that data point private so you don't become a target.

I'm pretty sure the pollsters aren't cold calling or cold texting people any more. It is more likely than not, a scam.

The only poll that matters is election day.

[–] [email protected] 28 points 1 month ago

The text is phishing and not an actual poll like people have suggested.

I did have an actual pollster come to my door the other day. I forget the organization but it was a political pollster and not a neutral one. Parties do their own polling too. Never asked my name or personal contact info. Just basic demographics: age, salary, children, etc. Then it was just who am I voting for in the different races, what I thought about their policy (favorable/unfavorable).

Then the last question was what was my most important issue for this election. 20 years ago I would have said net neutrality or the war in Iraq. In my older age I am more concerned with services for lower income people. You used to be able to fail and still find work and catch up. Now it just takes losing a job at the wrong time or an injury and you can easily become homeless. There is not the buffer their used to be, finding a temporary room rental for $300/no or less doesn't exist. So I told them "increase funding for low income services" and that guy looked confused and had to type it in. I would guess almost everyone is answering inflation, war, or border crossings. I was just thinking of something that could do a lot of good tomorrow with less money than the wealth of our richest person.

[–] [email protected] 23 points 1 month ago

Nope. You get nothing, and they get to resell you as a stat (sometimes giving it a spin in the process, plus the added bonus of potentially misleading the public into not showing up to vote)

[–] Sensitivezombie 12 points 1 month ago

Nope. Delete, block.

[–] [email protected] 10 points 1 month ago

I just immediately blacklist them.

[–] [email protected] 9 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Do you enjoy the media coverage about polls? Perhaps you should give back to the community.

Do you live in a swing state? Your preferred candidate may change their campaign strategy if they have reliable data on how they poll in your state (eg dial back campaigning where they are clearly ahead/behind in favor of where they are tied)

In the US I'd prefer not to say unless I've had some evidence I'd stay anonymous. Too infected debate.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 month ago

No, who the hell does enjoy media coverage about polls? Lmao

To the people who are already starting to type "I enjoy them!!!" comments, it is a rhetorical question to emphasize my distaste for them through the mechanism of expressing doubt that they have widespread appeal. I thoroughly understand that other people can enjoy things I don't. Thanks.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 month ago

This isn't the preferred survey methodology of pollsters who care about the statistical validity of the results.

I suspect that text was from someone more interested in your money than your opinion and wouldn't give them either.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 month ago

Nope and what happens when that info is leaked or just mishandled? Now your number is tied to who you voted for.

[–] stoy 4 points 1 month ago

Nope, you are giving away your voter privacy for zero gain to yourself.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 month ago

Jimmy Carter

[–] [email protected] 0 points 1 month ago

Depends on how much you care about statistics...