Name: ______________________________!

Mod: ________
Date: _______________________________! U3.LP4: Polling and Demographics

Objective: SW examine polling and demographics in order to analyze the voting patterns that
characterize different demographics bey interpreting data.
Warm-Up
In a democratic society citizens are encouraged to form their own opinions on candidates for
public office, taxes, constitutional amendments, environmental concerns, foreign policy, and other
issues. The opinions held by any population are shaped and manipulated by several factors—
individual circumstances, the mass media, special-interest groups, and opinion leaders.

For example, wealthy people tend to think differently on social issues from poor people. Factory
workers probably do not share the same views as white-collar, non-union workers. Women
employed outside their homes sometimes have perspectives different from those of full-time
homemakers.

1. Why is it important for people to have their own opinions in a democratic society?

2. What are some influences of a populationsʼ opinions?

3. Why would it be important for a candidate to know the opinions of different population groups?

Intro to New Material

Main Idea Supporting Details

What is polling? • Polling is to take a __________ of peopleʼs background information and

opinions.
• It is done by surveying people in the _____________, opinion polling and
exit polls on election day.
• The U.S. Census is an official ___________ of the population of the
United States that records various _______________ about individuals.

• Polling is used by __________ and incumbents to know what the

Who uses polling
information? ________ want from their ___________________.
• An ____________ is an elected official who is running in a ____________
to keep his/her position.
• ____________ Officials and Candidates constantly need to know what the
people want so they can _______ them well in government and win votes.

What is • Demographics are the _____________ of a ___________ population.

demographics? • Demographics are used in __________ and by ___________ to make
sure peopleʼs needs are being addressed.
Demographic • Common categories of demographic information are:
Populations •____________
•Gender
•Age
•______________
•Urban v. _________ populations
•Religion
•________________
•Political Party affiliation

Examples of how • IF 60% of the population of Howard County is over _____ years old
Polling and
Demographic • THEN government will make sure they address retirement issues such as
information is _____________ and social security.
used in
government • IF 30% of the population is low income
• THEN government will make sure they address __________ and
unemployment benefits.

• IF 80% of registered voters are __________

• THEN ___________ will make sure to support issues that Democrats
generally support in their campaign.

Differences in
Women Teenagers Caucasians
Political Opinions

What did this group

think was the biggest
problem?

Why do you think that

the biggest problem
was what it was for
each of group?

What percentage in
each group thought
education was the
biggest problem?

Why do you think each

group differs from one
another?
 Group Practice

Your task today is to use data polling information from our school. You will either respond to the
data as a citizen or a candidate.

1100

550

0
19%
Students with Diploma
Students who dropped out
81%

Response: As a citizen what is your concern with this data? As a Candidate how will
you address the concerns brought up by the citizens? Be sure to BE specific in
answers.

Citizen

Candidate

Homework

Read the 1 -page reading on polling and answer the questions following the reading.