Legal Definitions - poll

The term "poll" has several distinct meanings, primarily related to voting, gathering opinions, and specific legal procedures.

• In the context of elections and public opinion:

  "Poll" can refer to the act or process of voting itself, the physical location where votes are cast (often called a polling place), or the results and count of votes from an election. Beyond formal elections, "poll" is also frequently used to describe a survey or systematic collection of opinions from a group of people, often conducted to gauge public sentiment on a particular issue or candidate before an official vote.

  • Example 1: During a recent mayoral election, residents lined up early at the community center, which was designated as a poll, to cast their ballots. After the voting concluded, election officials began counting, and the initial poll results indicated a surprisingly close race between the two main candidates.

    Explanation: Here, "poll" is used in two ways. First, it refers to the physical location where people vote (the community center). Second, it refers to the outcome or count of the votes that were cast in the election.

  • Example 2: A local newspaper wanted to gauge public sentiment regarding a proposed new property tax increase to fund school improvements. They commissioned a research firm to conduct a poll, surveying 500 randomly selected homeowners across the city to understand their views on the tax hike.

    Explanation: In this instance, "poll" refers to a systematic survey or collection of opinions from a specific group (homeowners) to measure their attitudes or preferences on a particular issue (the property tax increase).

• In legal proceedings, specifically with juries:

  After a jury delivers a verdict in a criminal or civil case, either party or the court can request to "poll the jury." This means individually asking each juror in open court if the verdict read aloud is indeed their true and voluntary decision. This process ensures that the verdict is unanimous and was not influenced by coercion or pressure.

  • Example: In a complex civil lawsuit concerning a breach of contract, the jury returned a verdict in favor of the plaintiff. Before dismissing the jurors, the defense attorney requested that the judge poll the jury. The judge then individually asked each of the twelve jurors if the verdict announced was indeed their personal and voluntary decision, ensuring complete agreement.

    Explanation: This illustrates the legal procedure where, after a jury delivers its decision, each juror is separately questioned in court to confirm that they genuinely agree with the verdict and were not coerced or pressured into their decision.