Opinion polls are supposed to be neutral representations of where the public stands on the issues. But the GOP has recently shared emails and online posts pointing readers to so-called polls that look pretty biased. Even to a casual observer, it’s clear that these aren't scientifically constructed instruments. So if the GOP isn’t actually trying to conduct a survey, then what are they doing?

Turns out, they’re frugging us. Frugging is a technique long used by both parties that involves fundraising under the guise of research.

Here's an example: In a recent GOP email asking recipients if they supported President Trump, they were asked if they “stand with President Trump” or “support Democrats and the Fake News media.”

Then, around Christmas, the GOP sent out an “Inaugural Year Approval Poll” asking, among other things, to rate Trump’s first year in office with the following options:

Great

Good

Okay

Other

The next question: “How would you rate President Obama’s first year in office (2009)?” There was a new possible response in the answer set:

Great

Good

Okay

Poor

The response data isn’t available online. So what the hell is going on with these clearly fake polls? Republican strategist Frank Luntz told us that surveys like these are “sent out to give supporters a chance to feel like their opinions are being heard – and those who respond are hit up for donations.” Both of the major U.S. parties have been doing it for decades, according to Luntz.

According to Michael Cohen, director of the Political Management Program at George Washington University, these mailers are more accurately described as “sugging,” that is, selling under the guise of research, because there's no explicit ask for money “even though we all know what happens next.”

Sugging mailers aim to convince you your voice is being heard, and sell you on a political party’s list-building project. Frugging outreach is more direct: share your opinion, and your bank account number.

These mailers are important to campaigns and parties because of “that piece that says enter your information,” said Cohen. “They’re trying to data-farm you for their databases so they can fundraise based on your interests.”

It’s effective, according to Luntz. “Fundraising appeals that include polling do better than a lot of other techniques because it gives people a chance for their voice to be heard.”

The problem with frugging and sugging is that they undermine public confidence in the idea of polling. “As far as polling is concerned, most people don’t have a really good sense of what a poll is: a good one versus a bad one, versus one done under other auspices,” said Cohen.

Cohen stressed that both Democrats and Republicans use sometimes biased surveys. But, in the case of the Inaugural Year Approval Poll, “[the GOP’s survey] is a more egregious manipulation” than recent surveys sent out by Democrats. “[The GOP] clearly did not want any data that had Trump was performing poorly, even from their own people,” said Cohen.

The GOP did not respond to our multiple requests, in writing and via telephone, to see the data from these surveys or to provide comment for this story.

In a statement, the DNC said they use “polls and surveys to regularly engage with supporters and encourage participation. We are always heartened to receive feedback and will continue to encourage this direct communication with Americans across the country.”