Of course they're not - they're accurate to a specific error (the exact number varying based on the number of people polled and the methodology, but usually around +/- 2%) to a specific degree of confidence (usually 95%).
thing is you might get completely different results if you go to a different area. thats what kills me about politcal polls, I never see any around where I live. but go into the city, you'll see them. i'm sure some polling places are better about making sure they cover a variety of demographics, but it doesn't always happen. some i'm sure intentionally skew the results by focusing on one area. its why I never really trust it. not to mention all the people who just refuse to take them. the few times say my mom when I was growing up got a survey over the phone done for a poll she'd usually hang up on them unless they offered money (some have. usually like 5 bucks)
a Podunk town doesn't represent the views of the majority, if you want to be polled - move, ok?
so you saying the vast majority of the actual landscape of the country should be ignored because so little of the popluation lives there? cause thats what i'm hearing. I don't want to be polled I wish polls whouldn't exist. when it comes to elections. the election itself is the poll. anything beforehand is just trying to make other voters think "well my candiditate won't win ayways so why bother"
edit" i'm drunk as fuck so sorry if it being about elections was off topic ---
Cid- "looks like that overgrown lobster just got served!" Bartz-"with cheese biscuts AND mashed potatoes!"