straw vote

/strɔ voʊt/

Other forms: straw votes

A straw vote is an unofficial ballot that can help predict the outcome of an upcoming election. Don't worry — even if you lose the straw vote, you still might be elected class president next week!

Straw votes tend to be quick and informal, and they’re not particularly scientific. However, political parties can gain useful information from them, such as what their constituents' priorities are or where to ramp up a campaign. The origins of straw vote aren’t known for sure, but many believe it comes from the old technique of determining which way the wind is blowing by holding up a stalk of grass, also known as a straw.

Definitions of straw vote

1. noun

   an unofficial vote taken to determine opinion on some issue
   synonyms: straw poll

   type of:

   canvass, opinion poll, poll, public opinion poll, survey

   an inquiry into public opinion conducted by interviewing a random sample of people