The Iowa Straw Poll is a non-binding event held in Ames, Iowa, to test the viability of Republican presidential candidates. Fundraising and publicity are the primary goals, and the winner can use the results to fuel a publicity tour across the Midwest. The event has been held since 1979, and some candidates opt-out of the […]
A straw poll is an informal opinion poll, originating from an American agricultural practice of testing wind direction with straw. In 1936, The Literary Digest’s flawed presidential poll caused bankruptcy, while George Gallup accurately predicted the outcome and became a household name. Virtual straw polls are now common, including on news websites and for organizational […]
