Polling

Polls can be used to ask participants single choice or multiple choice questions during a meeting. Hosts can deploy polls during meetings and collect responses in real time. Hosts can also download a report of poll responses after a meeting.

The polling function can be set up prior to or during a Zoom meeting. All polling functionality is only accessible and administered by the host, not the alternative host. Therefore, all polls ideally should be created prior to the Zoom meeting by the instructor.

If you want a ZA or a TA to administer polls, transfer host privileges to that person during the meeting.

Create a Poll Prior to a Meeting

To create a poll prior to your meeting:

  • Navigate to the meetings page either on the Zoom web portal or within Canvas, and click on your scheduled meeting.
  • Scroll to the bottom of the page to find the Poll option. Click the Add button.
Create a Poll on the Zoom Portal
  • A pop-up window will open where you can create your first poll question.
    • Enter the poll's title.
    • Check the box next to Anonymous if desired.
    • Choose single choice or multiple choice.
    • Type in the answers to your question.
    • Click Save.
    • To add more questions, click +Add a Question and repeat the steps above.
      • NOTE: Any questions that are added to the same poll will be deployed in a single polling event during a meeting. If you would like to deploy one question at one point during the meeting, and another question later, you will need to create another poll.

  • After your questions have been added, they automatically appear in your meeting after being saved. Follow the steps in Launching a Poll during a Meeting (below) to launch your newly added poll(s).

Create a Poll During a Meeting

To create a poll during a meeting, the host can click on the Polling icon in the Zoom control bar. This opens the default web browser where you can add polls or questions following Steps 3 and 4 from Create a Poll Prior to a Meeting.

Launching a Poll

To launch a poll during a meeting, click the Polling icon in the Zoom control menu bar. A Polls window appears. If more than one poll has been created, choose which poll to launch. Click Launch Poll.

As participants respond, you will see their responses come in. (Participants will not see others' responses at this point). After participants have responded, click End Poll.

Results are visible to the host only. To share results with meeting participants, click Share Results. Alternatively, the host can relaunch the poll by clicking Re-launch Polling.

Additional information on creating polls can be accessed from a Zoom support page Links to an external site..