DES MOINES – Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate’s State Fair Straw Poll indicates Donald Trump is the preferred presidential candidate among fairgoers and Chuck Grassley is the preferred candidate for the U.S. Senate. The poll was conducted at the Secretary of State’s booth inside the Varied Industries Building throughout the State Fair. A total of 6,419 votes were cast in the poll.

“I want to thank everyone who visited our booth and participated in the Straw Poll,” Secretary Pate said. “The goal was to engage voters and get them interested in the election and voting, while also drawing them into our booth to register to vote, update their voter registration and learn about the other programs we offer. We registered 212 voters and helped 151 people request absentee ballots during the State Fair.”

Trump outpolled Hillary Clinton in the presidential race 48%-37%. A significant number of participants (15%), voted for ‘other’.

Chuck Grassley was the favorite in the U.S. Senate poll, 58%-37%. Five percent of participants chose ‘other’.

The State Fair Straw Poll is unscientific and done purely for entertainment purposes. Along with voting on the presidential and U.S. Senate races, fairgoers cast their vote in a variety of daily, Iowa-related, non-political polls.

Results and winners are below:

Who are you supporting for President?
(R) Donald Trump-48%
(D) Hillary Clinton-37%
Other-15%

Who are you supporting for U.S. Senate?
(R) Chuck Grassley--58%
(D) Patty Judge-37%
Other-5%

What is your favorite fair attraction? Fair food (37%)

What is your favorite type of State Fair food? Iowa-raised meats/poultry (29%)

What Iowa celebrity had the best year? Harrison Barnes (33%)

Which school had the best year in collegiate athletics? Iowa Hawkeyes (48%)

What is your favorite 2016 State Fair Grandstand musical act:? Lady Antebellum (18%)

Of the new State Fair foods, which is your favorite? Ice Cream Nachos (16%, although 19% of respondents picked ‘Other’)*)

What is your favorite bacon dish? BLT (37%)

Full results can be viewed at this link: sos.iowa.gov/statefair2016.html

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