Arun voter turnout survey
With a UK General Election due to be held on or before the 3rd June, Arun District Council is looking at ways to ensure that all local voters have the best opportunity to cast their vote, should they wish to do so.
This questionnaire focuses on voter turnout and why eligible voters may or may not decide to vote.
Individual responses will be kept anonymous and the overall findings will help us to improve our elections service to local voters. I would be grateful if you would take a few minutes to complete this questionnaire. Thank you in advance for your help.
Liz Futcher
Head of Democratic Services
Arun District Council
Part one - about you
How old will you be in June 2010?
18 to 23
24 to 35
36 to 50
51 to 70
71+
In June 2010, how long will you have lived in the Arun District?
0 to 2 years
3 to 5 years
6 to 10 years
11 to 15 years
16 to 25 years
26+ years
Part two - about the voting process
Did you vote in the 2005 General Election?
Yes
No
Can't recall
Please select your reason (or reasons) for not voting:
The opening hours and / or location of the polling station were not convenient
I didn't know where my local polling station was
I was away on election day
I was ill/unwell on election day`
I was too busy to vote
I forgot to vote
I was not eligible to vote (age, nationality)
I was not registered to vote
I did not receive a polling card (or postal vote that I had requested)
I didn't know enough about the candidates / parties
My vote wouldn't have made any difference to the outcome
The party I prefer to vote for had no chance of winning
There was no point in voting / all parties are the same
I was not interested in politics
Other reason(s):
Please write in reason(s):
Which of the following voting options* do you think might be introduced or encouraged locally to increase voter turnout? [*Some of these options would require a change in legislation, so would not be feasible to introduce at the forthcoming General Election]
Postal voting
Secure phone voting (via a text message)
Secure voting via the Internet
Secure voting via a digital TV
Secure voting via an electronic kiosk
Additional polling stations at convenient locations (e.g. supermarkets)
Voting at the weekend
Voting on a weekday other than Thursday (the traditional day for voting)
Proxy voting (voting delegated to another person)
Other method(s):
Please write in method(s):
Do you think you would be more encouraged to vote if you received more contact from the candidates standing for election? (e.g. by using media or personal visits)
Yes
No
Don't know
Are you planning to vote at the forthcoming General Election?
Yes
No
Not yet decided
Please select a reason (or reasons) below:
I am not eligible by nationality (i.e. not a British, Irish, or Commonwealth citizen)
I am likely to be away on election day
I am not interested in politics
I am disillusioned by all the parties/the current political situation
I don't like the candidates likely to be standing for election in this area
The party I prefer has no chance of winning/won't field a candidate in this area
I feel that I will have insufficient information on how to vote
The polling station opening hours are inconvenient
No reason
Other reason(s):
Please write in reason(s):
Do you think more information and education on democracy should be provided to the public before voter turnout can be increased?
Yes
No
Not sure
Is there any way you think Arun District Council can raise the levels of information and education?
Have you heard of or ever come across the Electoral Commission?
Yes
No
Can you recall where you heard about it?
If you would like to know more, visit their website at www.electoralcommission.org.uk
And finally, are any other comments you would like to make regarding political participation?
Thank you for taking the time to tell us your views. Please click the submit button to enter your response.