Utah governor approves bill to curb push polling

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SALT LAKE CITY (AP) – Gov. Gary Herbert has signed a measure that aims to improve transparency in political polling and cut down on a practice known as push polling.

Herbert’s office announced Wednesday that the governor had approved the measure, which requires all polls to identify who paid for them when callers ask the questions.

Critics of the bill said it could bias the respondents in a legitimate poll and violate the right to free speech for those conducting the polls.

The law would not require a disclosure for surveys conducted in person with focus groups of three to 13 people.

Violators would pay a $100 fine for failing to make the disclosure.

Push polls involve questions that are meant to sway voters’ opinions instead of surveying them.

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