Candidate Privacy in Surveys Act (Proposed)

Proposed Law to Prevent Bandwagon Bias and Uphold Candidate Consent

In modern elections, private survey firms significantly influence public opinion by publishing rankings and percentages of candidates during the campaign period. While surveys may provide useful data, their public disclosure can create a bandwagon effect, where voters gravitate toward perceived frontrunners. This undermines independent decision-making and distorts the democratic process.

The Candidate Privacy in Surveys Act recognizes the right of every candidate to control whether their individual survey results may be publicly disclosed. Candidates may formally notify survey firms, via email or written letter, requesting that their name, percentage, and ranking not be published or shared with the public. Instead, results shall be sent privately to the candidate’s official email. In public releases, the firm must replace the candidate’s name with a neutral label, such as "Anonymous".

This proposal addresses a critical ethical gap. Survey firms-especially when funded by private interests-are not legally entitled to use a candidate's name in public reports without consent. Much like intellectual property or personal data, a candidate's name, image, and ranking should not be disclosed without permission. This Act restores balance by giving candidates full authority over their public survey presence.

By giving candidates the right to withhold their survey results from public release, this law helps reduce mind-conditioning, strengthens strategic planning for campaigns, and protects the undecided from psychological manipulation. It promotes a fairer, more merit-based election process—one grounded in choice, not perception.