I'm not sure how the Illinois straw poll works, but this is how the Iowa straw poll works as told to me by a person who went to the Iowa straw poll. It involves a well-organized ground crew, who calls/recruits potential straw poll voters, gets the tent ready, arranges the buses to transport and pay the straw poll voters tickets to vote, arranges the food for the day - which is free for the voter - and all that jazz. The straw poll voter gets on a bus for a ride to Ames and does not have to spend one penny all day - all paid for by the candidate. Essentially, the candidates buy the straw votes. The candidates crew are the shining stars as they 'get 'er done' and the candidate can proclaim the 'win'.




