During this time of year, we are harassed multiple times a day by various organizations and entities performing political “surveys.”  These have begun to grate on my husband’s and my nerves in a huge way, for one very simple reason: they’re skewed.

Every survey we’ve gotten is some variation on the following: “If the elections took place today, would you vote for Candidate A or Candidate B.”  The problem is, this type of survey is rooted in a logical fallacy called a “false dilemma.”  In most areas, there are at least three candidates on the ballot.  Even there aren’t in a given area, there are still (at least in theory) at least two other options: write in a candidate or don’t vote.

Now, the point is not whether or not any of these are good or recommended options.  The point is not whether these are likely options for most respondents.  The point is that they are options, and if any respondent would have chosen any one of them, but wasn’t presented with the option, then the results of the poll are inaccurate.  But the two major political parties keep using these results to manipulate the American people.  (“Candidate A is outperforming Candidate B in the polls, 2 to 1.”)  Except for some of us, the correct answer is “Neither.”  (And many, if not most, of these are computerized, no less, so you can’t even tell the survey-taker you have no viable option.)

Logical fallacies do not produce accurate results.  We need to stop letting them manipulate us into answering as they see fit.  And stop letting them manipulate us with their twisted results.