straw vote

Unofficial opinion survey

A straw vote is an unofficial poll or ballot taken to gauge opinion before a formal vote or decision.

The term suggests something insubstantial—like straw—that indicates which way the wind is blowing without carrying binding force: Let's take a straw vote to see where everyone stands.

Also called a straw poll.

polling

poll

Gathering of opinions

surveySystematic data collection
ballotVoting document
tallyRecorded count

headcount · canvas · sampling · show of hands · hand count · opinion poll

gauge

temperature check

Measuring body heat level

barometerInstrument gauging atmospheric pressure
litmus testSingle determining factor
indicatorSign revealing status

test the waters · sounding · gut check · pulse check · trial balloon · bellwether · preview · snapshot · reading

informal

nonbinding

Not legally compulsory

unofficialNot formally recognized
preliminaryBefore the main part
tentativeUncertain and provisional

provisional · exploratory · impromptu · casual · off-the-record · snap poll · rough count · unscientific · ad hoc

trend

momentum

Product of mass, velocity

swingSuspended recreational seat
shiftMovement or work period
directionWay something faces

leaning · tendency · forecast · projection · frontrunner · undecided · margin · lead · standing · positioning

Opposites

formality and binding authority

straw votebinding vote

Vote requiring compliance

general election · final vote · referendum · plebiscite · roll call vote

procedural formality

straw votesecret ballot

Confidential electoral choice

official count · roll call vote

Family

straw, vote, straws, votes, voted, voter, voters, voting, votive

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