straw vote

American  

noun

1. an unofficial vote taken to obtain an indication of the general trend of opinion on a particular issue.

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straw vote Idioms  

1. Also, straw poll. An unofficial vote or poll indicating how people feel about a candidate or issue. For example, Let's take a straw poll on the bill and see how it fares. This idiom alludes to a straw used to show in what direction the wind blows, in this case the wind of public opinion. O. Henry joked about it in A Ruler of Men (1907): “A straw vote only shows which way the hot air blows.” [c. 1885]

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Etymology

Origin of straw vote

An Americanism dating back to 1885–90

Example Sentences

A straw vote in favor of the Harris group would indicate that the legal issues between Snyder and the NFL have finally been settled.

From Washington Times • Jul. 17, 2023

Pregelj went so far as to conduct a straw vote, in which all or nearly all jurors voted to charge Nixon.

From Washington Post • Apr. 14, 2019

One easy way to get out the straw vote is to buy up a bunch of tickets, then hand them out for free to your supporters.

From Slate • Feb. 13, 2012

She faces an important test in a nonbinding straw vote Saturday that has largely been upstaged by Perry's announcement.

From Chicago Tribune • Aug. 13, 2011

They have taken a straw vote to find out how the sentiment stood, not with the hope of arriving at a decision but by way of trying out the matter.

From The Man in Court by Wells, Frederic DeWitt