Online poll reflects true bypass views

The Daily Bee recently held an online poll on the proposed Sand Creek Bypass. The publisher even offered helpful hints on how to vote, saying that he was voting in favor because "there isn't a better proposal out there."

When the results were announced a week later, the Bee was shocked to find that the vote had not gone as planned. A strong majority of those voting was opposed to the bypass. So now folks are being asked to vote again, this time by paper ballot.

This process has raised a few questions. If the results had favored the Sand Creek Bypass, would the Bee, the mayor, and Idaho Transportation Department all have touted the poll as showing overwhelming support for the project?

Will the paper ballots, available only to a select minority, provide a more accurate result?

If this online poll was "wrong," was the poll also wrong the previous week? If so, John Kerry and the Democrats will sweep Idaho in November.

Perhaps the Bee's online polls reflect local sentiment more accurately that the publisher wants to believe.

NANCY F. RENK