Recently, Hill Research Consultants released a poll of the Texas gubernatorial race. See the poll questions here, especially question 3, which asks respondents who they favor in that race. The pollster is instructed to ask the respondent if he or she favors Rick Perry, Republican, or Bill White, Democrat. The instructions say “DO NOT READ” any other choices, but if the respondent nevertheless mentions the Libertarian Party nominee, or the Green Party nominee (both of whom are on the ballot), that unsolicited information is then recorded, but only into a single category. Not surprisingly, 17% of the respondents either refuse to answer the question, or say, “Neither”, or say they are undecided. The Libertarian Party nominee is Katherine Glass; the Green nominee is Deb Shafto.
Ballot Access News
Edited By Richard Winger
This Texas governor poll is even worse. It actually lies to the voter before asking the question.
Small correction – the Green Party nominee is Deb Shafto.
http://electdebshafto.org/
Thanks for the correction; I fixed it.
Does Hill Research Consultants at least acknowledge that this is a push poll rather then a scientific poll?
When I ran for congress in CT I was called by a pollster who asked who I was going to vote for. They read off the names of only the Dem and Rep. When I answered with my name which was on the ballot all ready they said “I’ll put you down as undecided.”