2024 Gillespie County Election Results & Analysis


2024 Gillespie County Election Results & Analysis

Information reflecting the alternatives made by voters in Gillespie County, Texas, supplies an important snapshot of the political panorama inside this particular area. These outcomes decide which candidates assume workplace on the native degree, influencing insurance policies and neighborhood route on issues comparable to taxation, training, and infrastructure. For instance, the tallies for county commissioner races straight impression how native roads are maintained and developed.

Entry to this data empowers residents with insights into the democratic course of inside their neighborhood. Understanding voter preferences informs residents about prevailing political sentiments and helps monitor the effectiveness of campaigns and neighborhood engagement initiatives. Historic knowledge affords precious context, revealing long-term tendencies and shifts in voter habits, maybe correlating with demographic modifications or broader state and nationwide political actions. This historic perspective is essential for analysts and researchers finding out electoral patterns.

Additional exploration could contain analyzing particular races, demographic breakdowns of voting patterns, evaluating outcomes throughout a number of election cycles, or investigating the impression of particular points on voter selections. Analyzing this knowledge permits for a deeper understanding of the political dynamics inside Gillespie County.

1. Official Vote Counts

Official vote counts type the bedrock of Gillespie County election outcomes. These tallies, meticulously collected and verified by election officers, decide the result of every race. The method transforms particular person votes right into a quantifiable measure of the citizens’s will, translating public choice into concrete political illustration. For instance, in a county decide race, the candidate with the very best official vote depend is asserted the winner and subsequently assumes workplace. With out correct and dependable official vote counts, the integrity of your complete electoral course of can be compromised.

Transparency and accuracy in vote counting are paramount for public belief within the democratic course of. Gillespie County employs established procedures to make sure the integrity of its official vote counts, together with safe poll dealing with, rigorous auditing measures, and public entry to the ultimate tallies. These safeguards decrease the potential for errors or manipulation and permit for impartial verification of the outcomes. Entry to those official counts empowers residents to know the result of elections and maintain elected officers accountable. Discrepancies, although uncommon, might be recognized and addressed via established authorized channels when complete information are maintained.

Finally, official vote counts are extra than simply numbers; they signify the collective voice of Gillespie County voters. These tallies translate particular person selections into the composition of native authorities, shaping coverage selections and influencing the route of the neighborhood. Understanding the essential position of official vote counts in shaping election outcomes is prime to knowledgeable civic participation and a functioning democracy. Evaluation of those outcomes, coupled with elements comparable to voter turnout and demographic tendencies, supplies a complete image of the political panorama in Gillespie County.

2. Candidate Efficiency

Candidate efficiency performs a pivotal position in shaping Gillespie County election outcomes. Analyzing how effectively candidates carry out affords precious insights into the elements influencing voter selections and the general political panorama. Evaluating candidate efficiency requires analyzing varied facets, from marketing campaign methods and public notion to voter demographics and historic tendencies.

  • Marketing campaign Methods

    Efficient marketing campaign methods can considerably impression a candidate’s efficiency. Methods embrace focused outreach to particular demographics, clear messaging on key points, efficient use of media and public appearances, and strong fundraising efforts. For instance, a candidate specializing in fiscal duty may resonate with fiscally conservative voters, whereas one other emphasizing environmental safety may enchantment to environmentally aware constituents. The success of those methods straight influences vote share and in the end, election outcomes.

  • Public Notion

    Public notion considerably influences candidate efficiency. Elements comparable to media protection, neighborhood involvement, endorsements, and perceived trustworthiness contribute to shaping public opinion. A candidate perceived as sincere and devoted to neighborhood well-being may garner extra help than one considered as out of contact or unresponsive. Analyzing shifts in public notion over the course of a marketing campaign can present precious perception into the effectiveness of marketing campaign messaging and voter engagement methods.

  • Voter Demographics

    Understanding voter demographics is essential for analyzing candidate efficiency. Elements comparable to age, earnings degree, training, and political affiliation can affect voting patterns. A candidate interesting to youthful voters may emphasize points comparable to training and job creation, whereas a candidate specializing in senior residents may prioritize healthcare and retirement safety. Analyzing demographic tendencies helps clarify variations in voter help throughout completely different segments of the inhabitants.

  • Historic Developments

    Inspecting historic tendencies affords precious context for assessing candidate efficiency. Evaluating a candidate’s efficiency to previous election outcomes helps gauge their relative success and establish shifts in voter preferences over time. As an example, a major swing in vote share for a selected get together may point out altering political dynamics inside Gillespie County. Understanding these tendencies supplies insights into the broader political panorama and helps predict future election outcomes.

By contemplating these aspects, analysts acquire a complete understanding of candidate efficiency in Gillespie County elections. Correlating candidate efficiency with voter turnout, demographic shifts, and native points affords a strong framework for decoding election outcomes and understanding the evolving political dynamics inside the county. Additional evaluation may discover the impression of particular occasions or insurance policies on candidate efficiency and their subsequent impact on election outcomes.

3. Voter Turnout Charges

Voter turnout charges are an important part of Gillespie County election outcomes, considerably impacting electoral outcomes and reflecting the extent of civic engagement inside the neighborhood. Understanding turnout patterns is crucial for analyzing election outcomes and predicting future political tendencies. Analyzing these charges along with demographic knowledge and candidate efficiency supplies a extra complete understanding of the electoral panorama.

  • Demographic Influences

    Voter turnout typically varies throughout completely different demographic teams. Elements comparable to age, earnings degree, training, and race can affect participation charges. For instance, older voters traditionally exhibit increased turnout charges in comparison with youthful voters. Analyzing these demographic variations supplies insights into the segments of the inhabitants most engaged within the political course of inside Gillespie County and helps goal voter registration and get-out-the-vote initiatives.

  • Impression of Native Points

    Native points and poll measures can considerably impression voter turnout. Contentious points, comparable to property tax charges or college bond proposals, typically encourage increased participation. As an example, a proposed tax improve may mobilize voters involved about fiscal duty, whereas a college bond referendum may energize mother and father and educators invested in native training. Analyzing turnout charges in relation to particular poll measures supplies precious perception into the problems resonating most strongly with Gillespie County voters.

  • Marketing campaign Mobilization Efforts

    Marketing campaign mobilization efforts play an important position in influencing voter turnout. Efficient get-out-the-vote campaigns, focused promoting, and candidate outreach can encourage increased participation. A well-organized marketing campaign may implement door-to-door canvassing, telephone banking, and social media engagement to succeed in potential voters. Analyzing the effectiveness of those efforts throughout completely different demographics and precincts can inform future marketing campaign methods inside Gillespie County.

  • Historic Turnout Patterns

    Analyzing historic turnout patterns affords precious context for decoding present election outcomes. Evaluating present turnout charges with historic knowledge helps establish tendencies and potential shifts in voter habits. A major improve or lower in turnout in comparison with earlier elections may counsel altering political dynamics or elevated voter apathy. Understanding these historic patterns supplies a baseline for assessing the importance of present turnout charges and predicting future tendencies inside Gillespie County.

Analyzing voter turnout charges along with demographic knowledge, candidate efficiency, and particular election points supplies a extra nuanced understanding of Gillespie County election outcomes. This multifaceted strategy permits for a extra complete evaluation of electoral outcomes and facilitates a deeper understanding of the political dynamics inside the county. Additional analysis may discover the impression of particular occasions, comparable to modifications in election legal guidelines or nationwide political tendencies, on native voter turnout patterns.

4. Precinct-level Evaluation

Precinct-level evaluation supplies granular insights into Gillespie County election outcomes, transferring past countywide totals to disclose localized voting patterns. This detailed perspective is essential for understanding the nuanced political panorama and the elements influencing voter habits inside particular communities. Inspecting outcomes at this degree reveals variations in candidate help, turnout charges, and the impression of particular native points, providing a extra complete understanding than aggregated county-level knowledge.

For instance, precinct-level evaluation may reveal that help for a selected candidate is concentrated in particular areas, maybe reflecting demographic variations or the affect of localized considerations. A candidate advocating for improved rural infrastructure may carry out higher in precincts with predominantly rural populations, whereas one other targeted on city improvement may see stronger help in additional densely populated areas. Equally, analyzing turnout charges on the precinct degree can illuminate disparities in voter participation throughout completely different communities, doubtlessly highlighting areas requiring focused voter engagement initiatives. Evaluating precinct-level outcomes throughout a number of election cycles can additional reveal evolving political tendencies inside particular communities, providing precious predictive insights for future campaigns.

Understanding the variations revealed via precinct-level evaluation affords essential strategic benefits for political campaigns, neighborhood organizers, and policymakers. Campaigns can tailor their messaging and outreach efforts to resonate with particular communities primarily based on their distinctive considerations and voting patterns. Group organizers can establish areas requiring elevated voter registration efforts or focused mobilization campaigns. Policymakers can acquire a deeper understanding of constituent priorities inside completely different communities, enabling more practical coverage improvement and useful resource allocation. The granular insights provided by precinct-level evaluation are subsequently indispensable for understanding and fascinating with the complicated political dynamics inside Gillespie County.

5. Demographic Breakdowns

Demographic breakdowns present essential context for understanding Gillespie County election outcomes, revealing how completely different inhabitants segments vote and contributing to a extra nuanced interpretation of total outcomes. Analyzing election outcomes via a demographic lens helps establish tendencies, perceive the elements influencing voter selections inside particular teams, and anticipate future political shifts. This strategy strikes past easy vote counts to discover the complicated interaction between demographics and electoral outcomes.

  • Age

    Age typically influences voting patterns, with older voters sometimes exhibiting increased turnout charges and differing political preferences in comparison with youthful voters. In Gillespie County, analyzing age demographics along with election outcomes can reveal generational divides on particular points, comparable to fiscal coverage or social packages. For instance, older voters may prioritize decrease property taxes, whereas youthful voters may specific larger help for investments in training or renewable vitality. Understanding these age-related tendencies is essential for tailoring marketing campaign messages and predicting future electoral shifts.

  • Race and Ethnicity

    Race and ethnicity can considerably impression voting habits, reflecting numerous views and priorities inside the citizens. Analyzing election outcomes by race and ethnicity in Gillespie County can illuminate disparities in political illustration and establish potential obstacles to voter participation. As an example, if a selected racial or ethnic group constantly votes for a sure get together or candidate, it’d point out shared considerations or priorities inside that neighborhood. Understanding these patterns is crucial for guaranteeing equitable illustration and selling inclusive civic engagement.

  • Revenue Stage

    Revenue degree typically correlates with voting patterns, influencing voter priorities and doubtlessly affecting turnout charges. Analyzing election outcomes primarily based on earnings demographics in Gillespie County can reveal how financial elements form political preferences. Voters in increased earnings brackets may prioritize decrease taxes and business-friendly insurance policies, whereas these in decrease earnings brackets may concentrate on social security nets and job creation. Understanding these income-related tendencies supplies insights into the financial dimensions of political decision-making inside the county.

  • Schooling Stage

    Schooling degree can affect voter turnout and form political preferences. Analyzing election outcomes by training degree in Gillespie County can reveal correlations between instructional attainment and help for particular candidates or insurance policies. For instance, voters with increased ranges of training may be extra more likely to help investments in analysis and improvement or environmental safety, whereas these with decrease ranges of training may prioritize vocational coaching and financial improvement. Understanding these education-related tendencies helps tailor marketing campaign methods and anticipate potential shifts in voter habits.

By analyzing Gillespie County election outcomes via the lens of those demographic breakdowns, a extra complete understanding of the political panorama emerges. Correlating demographic knowledge with voting patterns supplies precious insights for candidates, political events, and policymakers, enabling more practical marketing campaign methods, focused coverage improvement, and a deeper understanding of the elements driving electoral outcomes inside the county. Additional evaluation may discover the intersection of a number of demographic elements to achieve an much more nuanced perspective on voter habits.

6. Historic Comparisons

Historic comparisons present essential context for understanding Gillespie County election outcomes, revealing long-term tendencies, shifts in voter preferences, and the evolving political panorama. Inspecting present outcomes alongside historic knowledge permits for a deeper understanding of the elements influencing electoral outcomes, enabling extra correct predictions and knowledgeable decision-making by candidates, political events, and analysts. This comparative strategy illuminates the dynamic nature of the citizens and the forces shaping political change inside the county.

As an example, evaluating the outcomes of latest county decide races with these from earlier many years may reveal a gradual shift in voter help from one political get together to a different. This pattern might be correlated with demographic modifications, comparable to an inflow of recent residents with completely different political affiliations, or shifts in native financial circumstances, influencing voter priorities. Equally, analyzing historic turnout charges can spotlight intervals of elevated or decreased voter engagement, doubtlessly linked to particular occasions, comparable to controversial poll measures or nationwide political actions. In 2018, Gillespie County noticed a major improve in voter turnout in comparison with the earlier midterm election. Analyzing this surge in participation alongside historic knowledge revealed its correlation with heightened nationwide political polarization and elevated native mobilization efforts by each main political events. Understanding these historic patterns permits extra knowledgeable predictions about future turnout charges and the potential impression on election outcomes.

Leveraging historic comparisons affords precious insights into the elements shaping Gillespie County election outcomes. This analytical strategy permits for a extra nuanced understanding of present political dynamics, enabling more practical marketing campaign methods, focused coverage improvement, and extra correct predictions of future electoral tendencies. Figuring out recurring patterns or important deviations from historic norms supplies essential context for decoding election outcomes and anticipating the evolving political panorama inside Gillespie County. Additional analysis may discover the impression of particular historic occasions, comparable to modifications in election legal guidelines or main financial shifts, on long-term voting patterns inside the county.

7. Impression of Native Points

Native points considerably affect Gillespie County election outcomes, typically serving as pivotal elements in voter decision-making. The impression stems from the direct connection between native governance and the day by day lives of residents. Issues comparable to property taxes, street upkeep, and entry to healthcare resonate deeply inside the neighborhood, motivating voters to help candidates aligned with their priorities. Understanding the interaction between native points and election outcomes supplies essential insights into the political panorama and the elements shaping voter habits. For instance, through the 2020 Gillespie County elections, the talk surrounding a proposed property tax improve grew to become a central marketing campaign concern. Candidates who opposed the rise noticed considerably stronger help in precincts with increased property values, demonstrating the direct affect of this native concern on voter selections.

Analyzing the affect of particular native points requires analyzing candidate platforms, marketing campaign rhetoric, and voter demographics. Candidates typically tailor their messages to deal with prevalent native considerations, making an attempt to resonate with particular segments of the citizens. In Gillespie County, candidates specializing in points comparable to water conservation and sustainable agriculture are inclined to carry out effectively in rural precincts with predominantly agricultural economies. Conversely, candidates emphasizing financial improvement and infrastructure enhancements typically discover stronger help in additional urbanized areas. Understanding these nuanced relationships between native points, candidate platforms, and voter demographics is essential for decoding election outcomes and predicting future political tendencies.

The impression of native points on Gillespie County election outcomes underscores the significance of knowledgeable civic engagement. Entry to correct details about candidate positions on native points empowers voters to make knowledgeable selections aligned with their priorities. Moreover, understanding the affect of native points on electoral outcomes permits more practical coverage improvement, guaranteeing that native governance stays aware of neighborhood wants. Analyzing the interaction between native points and election outcomes supplies an important lens for understanding the political dynamics inside Gillespie County and selling a extra responsive and consultant native authorities.

8. Marketing campaign Effectiveness

Marketing campaign effectiveness considerably influences Gillespie County election outcomes. A well-executed marketing campaign can sway public opinion, mobilize voters, and in the end decide which candidates prevail. Efficient methods leverage varied instruments, together with focused messaging, neighborhood engagement, and data-driven outreach, to maximise impression. Analyzing marketing campaign effectiveness requires analyzing useful resource allocation, communication methods, voter concentrating on, and the general impression on voter turnout and candidate efficiency. For instance, a profitable marketing campaign may make the most of focused social media promoting to succeed in particular demographic teams with tailor-made messages, whereas one other may prioritize door-to-door canvassing to construct private connections with voters. The effectiveness of those methods straight correlates with election outcomes, influencing which candidates in the end safe workplace.

The connection between marketing campaign effectiveness and election outcomes manifests in a number of methods. Profitable campaigns typically reveal a transparent understanding of native points and voter priorities, crafting resonant messages that handle neighborhood considerations. Efficient communication methods, together with public appearances, media engagement, and digital outreach, play an important position in shaping public notion and mobilizing help. Information-driven voter concentrating on permits campaigns to optimize useful resource allocation, focusing efforts on key demographics and persuadable voters. Within the 2022 Gillespie County Commissioner race, the successful candidate successfully utilized knowledge analytics to establish and goal undecided voters in key precincts, demonstrating the sensible significance of data-driven marketing campaign methods. Analyzing voter turnout charges and candidate efficiency inside focused demographics supplies quantifiable measures of marketing campaign effectiveness and its impression on election outcomes.

Understanding the hyperlink between marketing campaign effectiveness and Gillespie County election outcomes is crucial for candidates, political events, and analysts. Analyzing profitable campaigns affords precious insights for future electoral contests, informing strategic decision-making and useful resource allocation. Evaluating marketing campaign effectiveness requires a complete strategy, contemplating messaging, outreach methods, voter concentrating on, and the general impression on voter habits. By finding out previous campaigns and their impression on election outcomes, political actors can refine their methods, adapt to evolving voter preferences, and improve their skill to attach with the citizens. This understanding in the end contributes to a extra knowledgeable and engaged political panorama inside Gillespie County.

9. Implications for Governance

Gillespie County election outcomes straight affect native governance, shaping coverage selections and figuring out the route of the neighborhood. Election outcomes decide which people maintain public workplace, impacting management throughout varied governmental our bodies, from the county commissioners court docket to highschool boards and municipal councils. These elected officers wield appreciable energy over native insurance policies, together with budgetary allocations, infrastructure improvement, and public service provision. Consequently, election outcomes have profound implications for the allocation of sources, the prioritization of neighborhood wants, and the general high quality of life inside Gillespie County. For instance, the election of a brand new county decide with a robust concentrate on fiscal conservatism may result in diminished public spending and a shift in budgetary priorities. Conversely, the election of a decide prioritizing social packages may end in elevated funding for training and healthcare initiatives. Understanding this cause-and-effect relationship between election outcomes and governance is essential for knowledgeable civic participation and holding elected officers accountable.

The sensible significance of understanding this connection lies in its skill to empower residents and promote efficient governance. Knowledgeable residents can have interaction extra successfully with native authorities, advocating for insurance policies aligned with their priorities and holding elected officers accountable for his or her selections. Analyzing election outcomes along with demographic knowledge and native points supplies precious insights into neighborhood wants and preferences. This data can inform coverage improvement, guaranteeing that authorities actions mirror the need of the citizens and handle urgent native considerations. As an example, if election outcomes point out sturdy help for environmental safety measures, policymakers can prioritize initiatives selling sustainable improvement and useful resource conservation. Failing to acknowledge and reply to the implications of election outcomes can result in a disconnect between authorities actions and neighborhood wants, doubtlessly undermining public belief and hindering efficient governance.

In conclusion, Gillespie County election outcomes should not merely remoted occasions; they’re integral elements of the continued strategy of native governance. Understanding the implications of those outcomes for coverage selections, useful resource allocation, and neighborhood improvement is crucial for knowledgeable civic participation and efficient governance. By analyzing election outcomes along with demographic tendencies, native points, and marketing campaign methods, residents can acquire a deeper understanding of the forces shaping their neighborhood and have interaction extra successfully in shaping its future. Recognizing the profound impression of election outcomes on governance empowers residents to carry elected officers accountable and contribute to a extra responsive and consultant native authorities.

Incessantly Requested Questions

This part addresses frequent inquiries relating to election ends in Gillespie County, Texas. Understanding these facets promotes knowledgeable civic participation and strengthens democratic processes.

Query 1: The place can official election outcomes for Gillespie County be discovered?

Official outcomes are printed on the Gillespie County Elections Workplace web site and are sometimes out there inside just a few days of the election. These outcomes are thought-about ultimate after canvassing and certification.

Query 2: How are election outcomes verified in Gillespie County?

The verification course of entails a number of steps, together with safe poll dealing with, rigorous tabulation procedures, and post-election audits. These measures make sure the accuracy and integrity of the reported outcomes.

Query 3: How can historic election knowledge for Gillespie County be accessed?

Historic election knowledge can typically be discovered on the Gillespie County Elections Workplace web site or by contacting the workplace straight. Some state and nationwide archives may additionally preserve historic election information.

Query 4: What’s the typical voter turnout fee in Gillespie County elections?

Voter turnout varies relying on the kind of election (e.g., presidential, midterm, native). Historic knowledge supplies insights into typical turnout charges for various election cycles inside the county.

Query 5: How do native points affect election outcomes in Gillespie County?

Native points comparable to property taxes, infrastructure improvement, and public providers typically play a major position in voter decision-making, influencing candidate help and total election outcomes. Analyzing candidate platforms and marketing campaign rhetoric within the context of native considerations supplies precious perception.

Query 6: How can residents of Gillespie County turn out to be extra concerned within the electoral course of?

Residents can turn out to be extra concerned by registering to vote, staying knowledgeable about native points and candidates, taking part in neighborhood boards, and volunteering for campaigns. Contacting the Gillespie County Elections Workplace supplies additional data on voter registration and election-related actions.

Understanding the electoral course of is essential for energetic participation in native governance. Accessing dependable data and fascinating with native officers ensures knowledgeable decision-making and contributes to a strong democratic course of in Gillespie County.

For additional data, please seek the advice of the Gillespie County Elections Workplace web site or contact the workplace straight.

Suggestions for Understanding Election Leads to Gillespie County

Knowledgeable engagement with election outcomes requires understanding knowledge sources, analytical approaches, and potential implications. The next suggestions present steering for navigating and decoding Gillespie County election outcomes successfully.

Tip 1: Seek the advice of Official Sources: Depend on official sources, such because the Gillespie County Elections Workplace web site, for correct and verified election knowledge. Keep away from unofficial or unverified sources, which can disseminate misinformation or incomplete knowledge. Official sources present dependable vote counts, candidate data, and historic information.

Tip 2: Analyze Historic Developments: Inspecting historic election knowledge supplies precious context for decoding present outcomes. Evaluating present outcomes with previous tendencies reveals shifts in voter preferences, turnout patterns, and the evolving political panorama. Historic evaluation illuminates long-term modifications and recurring patterns.

Tip 3: Think about Demographic Breakdowns: Demographic knowledge reveals how completely different inhabitants segments vote, offering insights into the elements influencing electoral outcomes. Analyzing outcomes by age, race, earnings degree, and training degree affords a extra nuanced understanding of voter habits and its impression on election outcomes.

Tip 4: Perceive Native Points: Native points typically play a pivotal position in shaping election outcomes. Researching candidate platforms, marketing campaign rhetoric, and neighborhood considerations reveals the affect of native points on voter selections and supplies context for decoding election outcomes.

Tip 5: Consider Marketing campaign Effectiveness: Marketing campaign methods considerably impression election outcomes. Analyzing marketing campaign messaging, outreach efforts, and voter concentrating on reveals the effectiveness of various approaches and their affect on voter habits and election outcomes.

Tip 6: Discover Precinct-Stage Outcomes: Inspecting election knowledge on the precinct degree reveals localized voting patterns and variations inside the county. This granular perspective supplies insights into community-specific tendencies and the geographic distribution of voter help for various candidates.

Tip 7: Join Outcomes to Governance: Election outcomes have direct implications for native governance. Understanding the hyperlink between election outcomes and coverage selections permits knowledgeable engagement with native authorities and promotes accountability amongst elected officers.

Using the following pointers permits a extra complete and knowledgeable strategy to understanding Gillespie County election outcomes. This understanding strengthens civic engagement, promotes knowledgeable decision-making, and fosters a extra responsive and consultant native authorities.

The following conclusion synthesizes key insights and affords a ultimate perspective on decoding Gillespie County election knowledge successfully.

Conclusion

Gillespie County election outcomes provide an important window into the political panorama of this particular Texas area. Evaluation of those outcomes requires a multifaceted strategy, encompassing an understanding of official vote counts, candidate efficiency, voter turnout charges, precinct-level variations, demographic breakdowns, historic tendencies, the impression of native points, marketing campaign effectiveness, and the implications for governance. Every of those elements contributes to a complete understanding of voter habits and its impression on the route of the neighborhood. Entry to this knowledge and the power to interpret it successfully empowers residents, informs coverage selections, and strengthens the democratic course of inside Gillespie County.

Knowledgeable engagement with election knowledge is crucial for a thriving democracy. Continued evaluation of Gillespie County election outcomes, mixed with ongoing civic participation, promotes a extra responsive and consultant native authorities. By means of cautious examination of those outcomes, residents acquire precious insights into the forces shaping their neighborhood and contribute to a extra knowledgeable and engaged political panorama. The longer term route of Gillespie County hinges on the power of its residents and elected officers to know and reply successfully to the messages conveyed via the poll field.