straw vote
noun
: an unofficial vote taken (as at a chance gathering) to indicate the relative strength of opposing candidates or issues
called also straw poll
Examples of straw vote in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The County Commission is scheduled to hold straw votes on the budget May 29 and adopt a final budget for the new fiscal year June 3.
—
Mary Ramsey, Charlotte Observer, 14 May 2025
While a final list of cuts the council proposed was made public last week ahead of a straw vote, the process of reaching consensus played out privately.
—Katie Shepherd, Washington Post, 25 May 2023
On July 14, city councilors on the Public Facilities and Programs and Services committees voted unanimously in a straw vote to move forward with a new building, Fuller said.
—BostonGlobe.com, 21 July 2021
The unofficial, closed-door, straw vote was 4 to 3, which meant that Beutner’s selection hinged on the vote of Ref Rodriguez, who was facing charges on campaign-finance violations and managed to stay in office just long enough to provide a swing vote.
—Los Angeles Times, 21 Apr. 2021
Subsequently, voting was downgraded to a straw vote and the resolution will formally be voted on by an electronic vote at a later date.
—Krzysztof Bolejko, Discover Magazine, 31 Aug. 2018
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Mary Ramsey, Charlotte Observer, 14 May 2025
While a final list of cuts the council proposed was made public last week ahead of a straw vote, the process of reaching consensus played out privately.
—Katie Shepherd, Washington Post, 25 May 2023
On July 14, city councilors on the Public Facilities and Programs and Services committees voted unanimously in a straw vote to move forward with a new building, Fuller said.
—BostonGlobe.com, 21 July 2021
The unofficial, closed-door, straw vote was 4 to 3, which meant that Beutner’s selection hinged on the vote of Ref Rodriguez, who was facing charges on campaign-finance violations and managed to stay in office just long enough to provide a swing vote.
—Los Angeles Times, 21 Apr. 2021
Subsequently, voting was downgraded to a straw vote and the resolution will formally be voted on by an electronic vote at a later date.
—Krzysztof Bolejko, Discover Magazine, 31 Aug. 2018
Cite this Entry
“Straw vote.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/straw%20vote. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
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