A word from Jack about the poll (5)
I believe the answer is:
straw
'poll' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both to do with contact as well as being verbs in their base form.
Perhaps there's a link between them I don't understand?
I don't understand the remainder of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for straw that I've seen before include "Dried grain stalk" , "It's clutched at in desperation" , "corny stuff" , "Dried grain stalks" , "Pale-yellow - through which one can drink" .)