do opinion polls matter

Question 1

opinion polls are used to

Answer 1

help predict the outcome of elections and to demonstrate the issues that are most important for voters

Question 2

exit polls

Answer 2

asking people how they voted as they leave the polling station to try predict an election outcome before the votes are counted

Question 3

opinion polls can help to shape gov policy to better reflect public opinion, key for r democracy as it keeps gov accountable

Answer 3

often inaccurate in recent elections and therefore could mislead voters and politicians

Question 4

exit polls have shown accuracy in predicting electoral outcomes

Answer 4

rather than informing party policy opinion polls can be affected by party policies simply reflecting changes in party manifestos

Question 5

if opinion polls suggest an election might be close it can help to encourage turnout

Answer 5

could influence the way people vote and yet pollsters are broadly unregulated . could allow undue influence in elections

Question 6

opinion polls allow the public to have an impact on gov policy between elections

Answer 6

politicians are elected in r democracy to act as trustees not delegates . should be acting in countries best interest not reacting to opinion polls

Question 7

they reflect a measure of poltical engagement reducing politcal apathy

Answer 7

there is no way to determine voter honesty in their responses

Question 8

they protest politcal freedoms by allowing the public to raise issues that politicians may otherwise ignore

Answer 8

can be difficult to ensure a sample is representative of the electorate at large which may skew results