A more thorough explanation:

A straw poll is a type of vote that is not legally binding. It is usually taken to get an idea of how many people support or oppose a particular idea or candidate. Straw polls are informal and do not involve any formal debate or motion.

• A teacher might take a straw poll in class to see how many students prefer a certain topic for their next project.
• A political campaign might conduct a straw poll to see how many people support their candidate in a particular area.

These examples illustrate how straw polls can be used to gather information about people's opinions without requiring a formal vote or debate. They are often used as a way to gauge public opinion before making a decision.