Deliberative polling is like an enhanced opinion poll. Participants are usually selected randomly via telephone numbers and then come together to discuss the issue. A poll is usually conducted before deliberations and a vote or series of votes is taken afterwards (which may be compared to the original poll).

Televoting involves sending participants written information about an issue. They are asked to discuss the issue with friends, neighbours and colleagues. They are then surveyed by telephone. and a smaller sample of the participants may be subsequently brought together to discuss the issue further.

Both these methods are best suited to issues for which one would normally use an opinion poll. They are suited to large planning issues or where a series of set options requires feedback.

A deliberative poll usually takes one or two days.

In a televote the process is time-limited, but could take up to two months for distribution, discussion and voting to take place.

For both methods a random sample is sought and telephone numbers or the electoral roll are used. Statistically significant numbers (usually several hundred) are required.

The profile of participants can be structured as to provide a representative sample of the whole citizen group being consulted (by age, place of residence, gender etc).

Deliberative polling involves extended large and small group discussions and facilitation skills and resources need to be sufficient for this to happen.

Organisational skills are required in conducting a televote, given the number of participants involved.

For a deliberative poll:

• A representative sample is chosen.
• Briefing material is sent to participants.
• Participants are brought together to a venue.
• A poll may be taken at the start of this process.
• Issues are discussed via large and small group meetings.
• A vote or series of votes is taken.

For a televote:

• A representative sample is chosen.
• Briefing material is sent to participants.
• Participants discuss the issue/s with friends, neighbours and colleagues.
• Participants vote on the issues via the telephone.

In a deliberative poll the process will be concluded through a vote or series of votes.

For a televote the collation of votes through telephone feedback is reported back to the commissioning authority.

The strengths of a deliberative poll include:

• Participants have information so they can make informed choices.
• There is time for deliberation.
• The procedure is open and rests on informed debate, therefore results are not easily manipulated.
• A variety of debating formats can be used, including small groups and the hearing and questioning of witnesses.

The strengths of a televote include:

• Less dependent on organisational capacity and resources than more interactive methods such as deliberative polling.
• Participants have information so they can make informed choices about an issue.
• It can be a representative exercise.

The weaknesses of a deliberative poll include:

• It is resource-intensive.
• There is no movement towards consensus or decision making.

The weaknesses of a televote include:

• It is less deliberative or provides fewer opportunities for discussion and debate than a process which involves group discussions or meetings.
• It will rely on participants having an accurate reflection and understanding of the concepts or issues from their discussion with others to inform their decision.

Deliberative polling is resource-intensive. Costs include:

• A venue with facilities for small and large group discussions.
• Catering and amenities over two days.
• Payment of participants' expenses.
• External facilitators may be involved.

Given the large number of participants involved, resources for a televote will include:

• Cost of any printed material provided to participants.
• Distributing material by post (or where possible by email).
• Staff or contracted time in following up with potentially hundreds of phonecalls.
• Cost of phone calls.