This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
That polls have proven unreliable in the last election cycle is not surprising. Many are push polls to produce a desired outcome. Unfortunately, the media and readers weight push and valid polls equally.
It is important to know the difference. A push poll phrases questions to pre-focus your opinion or elicit a response. Asking if food labels should disclose genetically modified ingredients is different from asking if they should expose the presence of harmful genetically modified ingredients.
A recent Tribune article about a proposed rate change for solar users included poll results from Dan Jones. A Rocky Mountain Power spokesman called it a push poll "intended to elicit pro-solar and anti-utility answers." However, the opinion questions asked were neutral. Questions about how negative statements influenced opinions were asked only after gathering the opinions.
The RMP response impugned the validity of a poll from the respected Dan Jones pollsters. Responding to a similar Deseret News article the same spokesperson said the poll should have "asked if they thought it's fair to pay for their neighbor's rooftop solar system, or if it's fair to pay more for electricity to provide more profits for private solar companies." Those are push poll questions.
Dan Cortsen
Sandy