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Lady Freedom Returns

(14,120 posts)
Mon Jun 9, 2014, 02:32 PM Jun 2014

Why on earth don't younger voters ( under 50) want to do political polls?

We have spent a MONTH! Trying to get the under 50 group polled in a national poll. The over 50 went fast, but not the under 50. It was like pulling teeth yourself with just a pair of needle nose pliers and no numbing agent.

They are political polls, a good time to give your two cents, yet they get hung up on.

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Why on earth don't younger voters ( under 50) want to do political polls? (Original Post) Lady Freedom Returns Jun 2014 OP
They're telephone surveys; younger = less likely to have a landline. Spider Jerusalem Jun 2014 #1
But we have been calling cell phones as well. Lady Freedom Returns Jun 2014 #2
maybe you need to poll via text message tk2kewl Jun 2014 #3
That is a thought... Lady Freedom Returns Jun 2014 #4
if they answer one question you send them another... tk2kewl Jun 2014 #5
That COULD work! Lady Freedom Returns Jun 2014 #6
FYI, "cold texting" is illegal. Xithras Jun 2014 #9
True customerserviceguy Jun 2014 #33
talking on the phone sucks AngryAmish Jun 2014 #35
i work in market research and know your pain fizzgig Jun 2014 #7
We call from, depending on the time zone and rules, 5pm to 9pm Lady Freedom Returns Jun 2014 #8
I'm 59, and I don't like answering questions on a cold call I didn't initiate. . . Journeyman Jun 2014 #10
Seriously? You ask? The reason being, is that most conversation is done by text or online. Xyzse Jun 2014 #11
not likely to pick up the phone tabbycat31 Jun 2014 #12
I'm much older and won't answer "unavailables" and unknown numbers. My voicemail AlinPA Jun 2014 #15
See I hate voicemail tabbycat31 Jun 2014 #19
That's about the way it is with me, too. Sometimes, the call is important to me. Most of the time AlinPA Jun 2014 #21
I've had friends leave voicemails when the call is not important tabbycat31 Jun 2014 #27
All of my family, friends, and co-workers Jenoch Jun 2014 #31
Because they don't believe that they have a seat at the table mooseprime Jun 2014 #13
IMHO, it's mostly time. Xithras Jun 2014 #14
Gallup has called me on my cell several times IronLionZion Jun 2014 #16
They would rather text and play Angry Birds or some other idiot game. hobbit709 Jun 2014 #17
I get polled constantly Capt. Obvious Jun 2014 #18
I am over 50 and I will hang up on you and any pollster if you call Exposethefrauds Jun 2014 #20
Because they don't believe in POLITICS! Exclamation Point. GeorgeGist Jun 2014 #22
The system is rigged, both sides are the same, not a dime's worth of difference, redqueen Jun 2014 #23
My kids only text. And they ignore most texts. hunter Jun 2014 #24
Back in the 90s Jenoch Jun 2014 #32
because it's fucking boring and people have other things to do JI7 Jun 2014 #25
Because when someone calls up and wants time or money the nearly universal answer is "Fuck off" JVS Jun 2014 #26
Is this a well-known organisation that you work with? muriel_volestrangler Jun 2014 #28
I'm over 50 and have no interest in being polled. City Lights Jun 2014 #29
Cooperations rates among the young were low even when everyone had a landline. Gormy Cuss Jun 2014 #30
something like f and something like y.. Leme Jun 2014 #34

Lady Freedom Returns

(14,120 posts)
2. But we have been calling cell phones as well.
Mon Jun 9, 2014, 02:40 PM
Jun 2014

The FCC has open up the use of cell phones, thus is why we must ask if the are on a cell phone and in a safe place to talk. Called many on a cell phone, but get the same type of answer, "Do not do political surveys".

I would thing people would want to get more say and this is a way to do it. But not the younger crowd.

Xithras

(16,191 posts)
9. FYI, "cold texting" is illegal.
Mon Jun 9, 2014, 03:02 PM
Jun 2014

And unlike the laws banning cold calling, there are few exceptions for political uses. Per the FCC, commercial texts can only be sent if there is prior consent, or in a declared emergency. Keep in mind that a LOT of people still pay for their text messages. Between the TCPA and the CAN-SPAM Act, commercial and political interests have very little access to the nations texting system.

customerserviceguy

(25,183 posts)
33. True
Mon Jun 9, 2014, 07:27 PM
Jun 2014

Young people seem to be absolutely addicted to texting. I see so many of them do it on the Garden State Parkway.

fizzgig

(24,146 posts)
7. i work in market research and know your pain
Mon Jun 9, 2014, 02:51 PM
Jun 2014

and i'm sure there are a lot of barriers. the cell/land line issue is one of them, but that's easily remedied as you mentioned. we get a lot of older people who do it, i think, just so they have someone to talk to. the time and day of the week you call also makes a big difference.


with the mid-terms around the corner, i urge all people to take the polls. just keep in mind these are people working for not much more than minimum wage and it's how they get paid.

Lady Freedom Returns

(14,120 posts)
8. We call from, depending on the time zone and rules, 5pm to 9pm
Mon Jun 9, 2014, 02:57 PM
Jun 2014

But not always easy. Keep hearing the same things. "My opinion never counts", "Do not do political surveys", "How much will you pay me".

So very few younger people seem to want to make their voices heard. Kinda sad.

Journeyman

(15,001 posts)
10. I'm 59, and I don't like answering questions on a cold call I didn't initiate. . .
Mon Jun 9, 2014, 03:03 PM
Jun 2014

If for no other reason than too many push polls and the like, and the possibility that no matter what a respondent says their answer will get twisted to fit the solicitor's agenda. Paranoid? More like realistic. I answer written requests, and write often in favor of my interests, but -- and this is probably more a comment on the times than it is a reflection of myself -- I don't appreciate getting unsolicited phone calls and prefer not to be used by pollsters with an agenda.

Xyzse

(8,217 posts)
11. Seriously? You ask? The reason being, is that most conversation is done by text or online.
Mon Jun 9, 2014, 03:04 PM
Jun 2014

Try doing a web survey instead.

Buzzfeed type questionnaire and you'll get a ton of hits.

tabbycat31

(6,336 posts)
12. not likely to pick up the phone
Mon Jun 9, 2014, 03:06 PM
Jun 2014

I'm a rare egg where I answer calls from a mystery number (I also work in politics and have worked in 6 states in 4 years, so I'm used to out of area code calls).

Polling (and traditional phone banking) is getting harder and harder with caller ID and I think polling needs to migrate online.

(FWIW I haven't used a landline on a regular basis since I was 20 and I'm now 34).

AlinPA

(15,071 posts)
15. I'm much older and won't answer "unavailables" and unknown numbers. My voicemail
Mon Jun 9, 2014, 03:13 PM
Jun 2014

is there for messages that I want to receive. On my cell, if the number is not in my phone book, I decline it.

tabbycat31

(6,336 posts)
19. See I hate voicemail
Mon Jun 9, 2014, 03:38 PM
Jun 2014

Unless it's important. Otherwise I see I missed the call or you can send me a text (at one point my voicemail greeting instructed people to send a text instead of leaving a message).

I really only listen to voicemail to get rid of the icon on my phone. It's more of a hassle than a convenience.

AlinPA

(15,071 posts)
21. That's about the way it is with me, too. Sometimes, the call is important to me. Most of the time
Mon Jun 9, 2014, 03:41 PM
Jun 2014

though, the "unknowns" just hang up without leaving a message.

tabbycat31

(6,336 posts)
27. I've had friends leave voicemails when the call is not important
Mon Jun 9, 2014, 04:49 PM
Jun 2014

ie "I'm just calling to see what's up."

If I see a missed call I will return it. If it is a mystery number, I Google the number before returning the call (or not).

 

Jenoch

(7,720 posts)
31. All of my family, friends, and co-workers
Mon Jun 9, 2014, 06:26 PM
Jun 2014

know not to leave me a voicemail. I'll see the number and call them back.

Xithras

(16,191 posts)
14. IMHO, it's mostly time.
Mon Jun 9, 2014, 03:11 PM
Jun 2014

Most people aren't interested in talking politics with some stranger on the phone. Heck, a lot of millennials don't even like to talk to their FRIENDS on the phone, preferring to text or use some other form of communication. The "good old days" when you could just call someone and get their opinion are over. It's not the 1980's anymore, and the 1980's polling model just doesn't work for much of the sub-50 set.

I don't do phone polls. Ever. I've done a number of polls online, after they were sent to me by a polling company. There are polling companies that have adapted to modern expectations, and they get the responses. Those who haven't adapted just get hung up on.

IronLionZion

(45,250 posts)
16. Gallup has called me on my cell several times
Mon Jun 9, 2014, 03:26 PM
Jun 2014

always during my very long commute home. The fools never give me an option to call back though. So I ended up grudgingly taking the call while driving, which I hate doing, and talking about how much I support the Obama administration's policies mostly with a few reservations. And I believe congressional obstruction and budget cuts have held back our economic recovery.

I can see why a lot of folks in my generation would not be bothered. They really should just leave a number to call back. I would call them during lunch or something. I told them.

 

Exposethefrauds

(531 posts)
20. I am over 50 and I will hang up on you and any pollster if you call
Mon Jun 9, 2014, 03:39 PM
Jun 2014

Very few people have my phone or email and if you call my house and I do not recognize the number I usually will not answer and if I do answer I will tell you to take my name off your call list I am not interested at all. I am already on the do not call lists btw
If I do talk to you I am most likely drinking and will give you insane answers because usually they are also push polls.

I can't speak for everyone but most people do not want to be bothered with polls and other bs at home via the phone

It is not like politicians need us voters anyway, we have no real say and they do what there financial backers want anyway dispite what we the people want.

If I have something to say or want something from a politician i know I have to pony up at least a five figure donation other wise I will get lip service








redqueen

(115,096 posts)
23. The system is rigged, both sides are the same, not a dime's worth of difference,
Mon Jun 9, 2014, 03:45 PM
Jun 2014

it's all kabuki theater, etc. etc. etc. ad nauseam

They pass around these awesome quotes from Carlin and Zappa and Twain and throw up their hands.

Many people seem to think there's no point in voting at all. In polls, elections, or anything.

hunter

(38,263 posts)
24. My kids only text. And they ignore most texts.
Mon Jun 9, 2014, 04:14 PM
Jun 2014

They won't listen to voice mail either. If it's a number they know, and they want to talk, they'll simply call back rather than listen to a message.

Usually talking usually requires some text negotiation beforehand, unless you are their (rolls eyes) stone age parents.

I saw it happening as early as when they were in sixth grade. They'd ignore a ringing land line phone until the answering machine picked up. When I was a kid there were no answering machines. If you missed a call you never knew what it was about unless they called you back.

It's a good thing in some ways. I remember work pagers and the general consensus among us proles (those who were not beaten down yet) was that you didn't carry a work pager unless the company was paying you extra. I was getting $5.50 an hour to carry a pager when gasoline was still less than a dollar a gallon. Half the time there wasn't any crisis I couldn't attend to with a few words, I didn't have to put on appropriate work clothes and drive anywhere. You do the math.

The "always on call" mindset needs to die. I think the under fifties generations are dealing well with the random calls, but they need to organize against their employers. Sadly they are often desperate for work and won't protest when their employers electronically leash them.

Unpaid on-call has been outlawed in parts of Europe, and it should be that way here too.

That doesn't solve the problem of polling. Odds are telephone polling is obsolete. But what can replace it? Face-to-face surveys?


 

Jenoch

(7,720 posts)
32. Back in the 90s
Mon Jun 9, 2014, 06:32 PM
Jun 2014

the small company I worked for issued pagers to everyone. If I was not at my desk and somebody left a voicemail, my pager would be alerted that I had a message. One night I forgot to turn the thing off and a client left me a voicemail at 2am.

muriel_volestrangler

(101,144 posts)
28. Is this a well-known organisation that you work with?
Mon Jun 9, 2014, 05:59 PM
Jun 2014

Most calls I get are transparently trying to sell me something, or gather marketing information about me to sell to other companies. If someone calls me and starts with "can you spare a few minutes to help us gather information ..." I will assume it's marketing. If they can't blurt out a "I'm from Gallup" or whoever, they'll get hung up on the first time they ignore my "no, I don't want to give you marketing information" reply. Perhaps younger people are more cynical about it.

Gormy Cuss

(30,884 posts)
30. Cooperations rates among the young were low even when everyone had a landline.
Mon Jun 9, 2014, 06:12 PM
Jun 2014

We used to burn through many more numbers looking for respondents among younger people than for middle-aged people, and more for middle-aged than for seniors.

 

Leme

(1,092 posts)
34. something like f and something like y..
Mon Jun 9, 2014, 07:31 PM
Jun 2014

damned poll people are getting paid to make a poll, pay me for my time danged a......... !
-
pardon my language some

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