Florida Senator Bryan Avila (D-39) has introduced a new bill aimed at increasing transparency in political polling. The proposed legislation, 2025 SB 528, would require political polls conducted in the state to clearly disclose their sponsors and funding sources.
The bill seeks to ensure that voters are fully informed about who is behind the polls they encounter, whether by phone, text message, or email.
The bill, titled Requirements for Political Polls, creates Section 106.146 of the Florida Statutes. Under the proposed law, any political poll conducted within the state must include the phrase “Sponsored and paid for by,” followed by the name of the individuals or organizations funding the poll.
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The disclosure must be prominently displayed based on the method of polling:
- Telephone Calls: The phrase must be stated at the beginning of the call.
- Text Messages: The phrase must appear at the beginning of the text message.
- Emails: The phrase must be included in bold type with a font size of at least 12 points.
The bill defines a “political poll” as “a sampling or collection of responses to questions on a political subject which are taken from a selected or random group of persons or voters for the purpose of analysis.”
Avila’s bill also establishes penalties for those who fail to comply with the new requirements. A person or organization that willfully violates the disclosure rules commits a first-degree misdemeanor, punishable by fines or imprisonment as outlined in Florida Statutes 775.082 or 775.083.
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The term “person” is broadly defined to include individuals, organizations, candidates, political committees, and representatives of corporations or business entities involved in conducting political polls.
Avila emphasized the importance of transparency in political polling, stating, “Voters deserve to know who is behind the polls they encounter. This bill ensures that political polls are conducted with integrity and that the public can trust the information they receive.”
The legislation comes amid growing concerns about the influence of undisclosed funding in political campaigns and polling. By requiring clear disclosure of sponsors, the bill aims to prevent misleading or biased polls from shaping public opinion without accountability.
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