Les sondages et le vote « utile » dans les discours des candidats

[Autom. eng. transl.] This chapter studies the use of polls and “useful voting” as an electoral communication argument. We analyzed the messages on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram produced by the 12 presidential candidates and their parties, during the month of campaign (14,021 texts). Surveys are a tool of persuasion, legitimization and mobilization. In particular, citing surveys has the following functions: proposing subjects and issues for the attention of citizens and the media; show that the French share and approve the candidate's proposals and actions; illustrate a dynamic of growth in voting intentions; mobilize citizens, convince them to vote and support the candidate; ask to vote strategically based on polls. The useful vote argument is widely used, but also criticized and questioned.