Malicious Polling Alert
In recent days, many of our friends have received calls from a Florida
company that is conducting a survey that we consider to be biased and
malicious.
The calls originate from 1-800-251-5850. The “survey” is
purportedly about affordable housing but asks many leading questions
prompting respondents to define the ideal community as one with high
density affordable housing proximate to transit, and to associate
opposition to that ideal as coming from NIMBY’s and worse who don’t
want neighbors who look different than themselves and increase
crime.
The “poll” also asks about political leanings, income, and views of
various organizations, and more unusually even asks for your full
name. Many people report having been hung up on when they asked
who was sponsoring the survey, gave the “wrong” answer, or in any way
questioned the interviewer. The 800 number traces to a dubious
firm that advertises “advocacy” polling as one of its services. These
tactics are commonly referred to as a “push poll” used to convince
people to embrace the views of its anonymous sponsor.
This survey clearly has an agenda, which we think is (1) To collect
data to show that a “majority” in Marin supports building more housing
and to marginalize those opposed to that agenda; and (2) to collect
information about how better to market a pro-growth agenda in
Marin.
It also appears that this is not a legitimate poll gathering responses
from a random sample, but rather a fishing expedition to gather
information about the make-up of anti-density movement
individuals.
A surprisingly large number of residents who have been opposed high
density developments have been contacted. If this were a bona fide
random sampling of Marin residents, the odds of that happening would be
miniscule unless this was a very large survey costing many tens of
thousands of dollars.
For these reasons we suggest using your judgment as to whether to
participate in the survey if you are called, and to point out questions
you feel are biased or leading, and ask about how the information will
be used. If you do choose to participate, we encourage you
take notes on the questions you are asked (and your answers), and email
your notes and comments to us for the record at MarinAgainstDensity@gmail.com
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