EAC-RS02 Revised EAC Survey of UOCAVA Voters

Review Draft 2006 EAC UOCAVA Voter Survey
Dear Voter,
We are conducting a survey of overseas and uniformed services absentee voters and are inviting
you to tell us about your experiences with the election process. The United States Congress has
asked for this study because of the reports that uniformed services and overseas voters often
have problems when trying to vote. We are working with the United States Election Assistance
Commission to make sure that your experiences and suggestions are being collected and
forwarded to Congress.
Your responses are confidential so please take 8-10 minutes to fill out this survey, and tell us
about your voting experience in November of 2006. This is a great opportunity to help improve
the system and your participation matters: we can not do a good job without your help!
Thank you so much!
Start Survey!

OMB Control No. 3265-0005

Exp. 5/31/2007

Zoomerang

1 of 16

http://www.zoomerang.com/members/print_survey_body.zgi?ID=L2...

U.S. EAC - 2006 Overseas and Military Voter Survey
Note to survey reviewers: This and other page headers in this review
version of the survey will be removed prior to survey launch.
ALL SURVEY TAKERS ANSWER THIS PAGE OF QUESTIONS
Q5 will divide respondents:
"Yes" respondents skip to Main Line of questions
"No" respondents continue on Did Not Vote Line of questions

Welcome! This survey will take approximately 7 minutes to complete. You
may use your browser "back" button if you need to return to a previous
page. The questions will first cover your registration and ballot request
experience and then your voting experience before asking a few general
questions. Thank you for your participation!

If you encounter a technical problem in the survey, please 'Reply' to your
survey invitation email to report it. The Zoomerang survey tool uses browser
cookies (a small text file stored on your computer) to track your progress
during a survey. If cookies are blocked by your web browser or another
program on your PC, the survey will repeat the questions from the first page
while numbering the questions as if they were new. Let us know if you
encounter that problem and we will send you some simple instructions for
what to do. Thank you!

1

Were you an overseas citizen or a member of the Uniformed
Services, a spouse or dependent of a uniformed service member on
November 7, 2006?
U.S. citizen living outside the U.S. temporarily
U.S. citizen living outside the U.S. indefinitely/permanently
Uniformed service member
Spouse or dependent of a uniformed service member

2

On November 7th, in which country were you living or serving?

3

In which U.S. state or territory did you vote, or would you have
voted, had you been in the U.S. on November 7, 2006?

4

Describe your voting history: (check all that apply)
This was or would have been my first time voting in my life as
an overseas citizen
This was or would have been my first time voting as an
absentee military service member, spouse or dependent

OMB Control No. 3265-0005

Exp. 5/31/2007

12/6/2006 1:31 PM

Zoomerang

2 of 16

http://www.zoomerang.com/members/print_survey_body.zgi?ID=L2...

Voted before as an overseas citizen
Voted before as an absentee military services member,
spouse or dependent
Voted before locally in the US
Voted before as a domestic absentee in the US
I don't remember

5

Did you vote in the November 7, 2006 election?
Yes, I voted
No, I did not vote or try to vote
No, I tried but was unable to complete the process

Continue

Survey Page 1

U.S. EAC - 2006 Overseas and Military Voter Survey
DID NOT VOTE LINE

6

Why didn't you vote? (check all that apply)
My ballot did not arrive
My ballot was late
My ballot arrived while I was traveling
My ballot arrived while I was on duty somewhere else
I moved and my ballot was sent to my old address
I forgot to send my ballot
My voter registration/ballot request was denied
I missed the registration deadline
I thought I was registered, but wasn't
My address changed
I could not meet my state's notarization requirements
I could not meet my state's witness requirements
I did not know what I needed to do to register and vote
I didn't think my vote would matter
I found the process too complicated
I lacked candidate information
I had no interest in voting
Other, please specify

OMB Control No. 3265-0005

Exp. 5/31/2007

12/6/2006 1:31 PM

Zoomerang

3 of 16

http://www.zoomerang.com/members/print_survey_body.zgi?ID=L2...

7

If you had been in the U.S. on November 7, 2006, Election Day,
how likely is it that you would have voted?
Very likely

8

Somewhat
likely

Neither likely or
unlikely

Somewhat
unlikely

Very unlikely

Did you complete a form to register to vote and/or request an
absentee ballot for the November 7, 2006 election?
Yes
No
I don't remember

Continue

Survey Page 2

U.S. EAC - 2006 Overseas and Military Voter Survey
DID NOT VOTE LINE

9

How did you get your voter registration/ballot request form?
I downloaded the blank form from a website
I filled-out the form online and printed it
I received it from my state/local election office
I picked it up at the US Embassy/Consulate
I used the online IVAS system
I registered and/or received a form in person
I received it in the mail
It was faxed to me
I received it as an email attachment
Other, please specify

10 When, in 2006, did you send in your voter registration/ballot request
form?
Between January and July 2006
August
September
First half of October
OMB Control No. 3265-0005

Exp. 5/31/2007

12/6/2006 1:31 PM

Zoomerang

4 of 16

http://www.zoomerang.com/members/print_survey_body.zgi?ID=L2...

Second half of October
November
I never sent the form
I don't remember

11 How did you SEND IN your voter registration/ballot request form?
FAX
FAX + original form by mail
Email
Email + original form by mail
I used the IVAS service for the DOD
Regular Mail
Courier/Certified or Express Mail
Military Postal Service (APO/FPO)
Sent through Consulate/Embassy mail pouch
In person at my election office
I never sent the form
Other, please specify

Continue

Survey Page 3

U.S. EAC - 2006 Overseas and Military Voter Survey
MAIN LINE OF QUESTIONS - VOTERS

12 Did you complete a form to register to vote and/or request an
absentee ballot for the November 7, 2006 election?
Yes
No
I don't remember

Continue

Survey Page 4

U.S. EAC - 2006 Overseas and Military Voter Survey
MAIN LINE OF QUESTIONS

OMB Control No. 3265-0005

Exp. 5/31/2007

12/6/2006 1:31 PM

Zoomerang

5 of 16

http://www.zoomerang.com/members/print_survey_body.zgi?ID=L2...

13 How did you get your voter registration/ballot request form?
I downloaded the blank form from a website
I filled-out the form online and printed it
I received it from my state/local election office
I picked it up at the US Embassy/Consulate
I used the online IVAS system
I registered and/or received a form in person
I received it in the mail
It was faxed to me
I received it as an email attachment
Other, please specify

14 When, in 2006, did you send in your voter registration/ballot request
form?
Between January and July 2006
August
September
First half of October
Second half of October
November
I never sent the form
I don't remember

15 How did you send in your voter registration/ballot request form?
FAX
FAX + original form by mail
Email
Email + original form by mail
I used the IVAS service for the DOD
Regular Mail
Courier / Certified or Express Mail
Military Postal Service (APO/FPO)
Sent through Consulate/Embassy mail pouch
In person at my election office
I never sent the form
Other, please specify

Continue
OMB Control No. 3265-0005

Exp. 5/31/2007

12/6/2006 1:31 PM

Zoomerang

6 of 16

http://www.zoomerang.com/members/print_survey_body.zgi?ID=L2...

Survey Page 5

U.S. EAC - 2006 Overseas and Military Voter Survey
MAIN LINE

16 When did you receive your blank ballot for the November 7, 2006
election?
August
September
First half of October
Second half of October
The week before the election
Election Day
After Election Day
I don't remember

17 How was your blank ballot delivered to you?
FAX
Email
Downloaded through DOD IVAS service
Regular Mail
Courier / Certified or Express Mail
Military Postal Service (APO/FPO)
Other, please specify

18 Had you ever received a blank ballot in this way before?

19 How would you describe the way you received your blank ballot?
(check all that apply)
Fast
Easy
Practical
Slow
Difficult
Impractical
OMB Control No. 3265-0005

Exp. 5/31/2007

12/6/2006 1:31 PM

Zoomerang

7 of 16

http://www.zoomerang.com/members/print_survey_body.zgi?ID=L2...

No opinion
Other, please describe:

20 Did you feel it was a secure way to receive your blank ballot?
Very secure

Secure

Neutral

Insecure

Very insecure

21 Was the ballot easy to complete?
Easy

Somewhat
easy

Neither

Somewhat
difficult

Difficult

Don't know

Continue

Survey Page 6

U.S. EAC - 2006 Overseas and Military Voter Survey
MAIN LINE

22 What method did you use to SEND IN your VOTED ballot?
Email
Email + original ballot in mail
FAX machine
FAX machine + original ballot in mail
Internet FAX transmission
Internet FAX transmission + original ballot in mail
Regular Mail
Courier / Certified or Express Mail
Military Postal Service (APO/FPO)
Sent through Consulate/Embassy mail pouch
I dropped it off or voted at my local election office in the US
Other, please specify

23 How would you rate the ease-of-use of this way of sending in your
voted ballot?
OMB Control No. 3265-0005

Exp. 5/31/2007

12/6/2006 1:31 PM

Zoomerang

8 of 16

http://www.zoomerang.com/members/print_survey_body.zgi?ID=L2...

Easy

Somewhat
easy

Neutral

Somewhat
difficult

Difficult

24 When did you send in your voted ballot for the November 7, 2006
election?
September
First half of October
Second half of October
First week of November
Election Day
After Election Day
I can't remember

25 How satisfied were you with the process of obtaining and casting a
ballot in 2006?
Satisfied

Somewhat
satisfied

Neutral

Somewhat
dissatisfied

Dissatisfied

Continue

Survey Page 7

U.S. EAC - 2006 Overseas and Military Voter Survey
ETS USER SPECIFIC QUESTIONS

PLEASE NOTE:
The term "electronic transmission method" includes Email, FAX, Internet and
online systems.

26 How would you describe the electronic transmission method you
used to RETURN your voted ballot? (check all that apply)
Practical
User-friendly
Logical
Well-defined
Fast
Easy
OMB Control No. 3265-0005

Exp. 5/31/2007

12/6/2006 1:31 PM

Zoomerang

9 of 16

http://www.zoomerang.com/members/print_survey_body.zgi?ID=L2...

Slow
Difficult
Hard to understand
Other, please describe:

27 Did you ever use this electronic transmission method to send a
voted ballot in any other election?

28 Please rate the ease-of-use of the electronic transmission method
you used to send your voted ballot?
Easy

Somewhat
Easy

Neutral

Somewhat
difficult

Difficult

29 If you found this method easy to use, please tell us what contributed
to that ease-of-use. (check all that apply)
Clear instructions
Easy to understand
Fast
Handy
Good format - easy to see
Could use it from my location
No travel required
Not applicable; I found it difficult to use
Other, please specify

30 Why did you decide to send your ballot in this way? (check all that
apply)
It was easy
It saved me time
I didn't need to travel
I thought it was required
It was offered
It was less expensive
To get my ballot back faster
OMB Control No. 3265-0005

Exp. 5/31/2007

12/6/2006 1:31 PM

Zoomerang

10 of 16

http://www.zoomerang.com/members/print_survey_body.zgi?ID=L2...

It was suggested that I use this method
I received an email telling me about it
I thought it was safer than regular mail
My blank ballot arrived late
Other, please specify

31 Did you have any problems with the electronic transmission method
of sending your voted ballot? (check all that apply)
There were too many steps
I didn't understand the instructions
I wasn't sure if I needed a witness
I didn't understand what to do
No, I did not have any problems
Other, please specify

32 How satisfied were you with the electronic transmission method you
used to send in your voted ballot?
Satisfied

Somewhat
satisfied

Neutral

Somewhat
dissatisfied

Dissatisfied

33 Were you asked to waive (give up) the right to a private vote?

Additional Comment

OMB Control No. 3265-0005

Exp. 5/31/2007

12/6/2006 1:31 PM

Zoomerang

11 of 16

http://www.zoomerang.com/members/print_survey_body.zgi?ID=L2...

34 If you did waive your right to a private vote, how would you describe
your feelings about that?
Concerned

Somewhat
concerned

Neutral

Somewhat
Not
UnconcernedDon't know
unconcerned
Applicable

Continue

Survey Page 8

U.S. EAC - 2006 Overseas and Military Voter Survey
MAIN LINE - ETS AND NON ETS

35 Would you send in your voted ballot again in the future using the
same method as you did in the election of November 7, 2006?

36 How did you find out about the voting method you used? (check all
that apply)
Internet Search
Got an Email
Local Election Official
Consulate/Embassy
Voting Assistance Officer
Federal Voter Assistance Program
IVAS Website from DOD
Newspaper
Newsletter
State Election Office web site
Local Election Office web site
Political party
Voter organization
Can't remember
Other, please specify

37
How did you feel about the security of your actual VOTE?
OMB Control No. 3265-0005

Exp. 5/31/2007

12/6/2006 1:31 PM

Zoomerang

12 of 16

http://www.zoomerang.com/members/print_survey_body.zgi?ID=L2...

Concerned

Somewhat
concerned

Neutral

Somewhat
Unconcerned Don't know
unconcerned

38 What security concerns did you have in regard to your vote? (check
all that apply)
I was not sure my voted ballot actually arrived
I was concerned that my voted ballot could get lost
I was concerned that someone saw how I voted
I was concerned someone could change my vote
I had no concerns
Other, please specify

39 Did you confirm that your ballot arrived?
Yes, I checked through state or county online tracking tool
Yes, I contacted my election office
No, I did not confirm my ballot arrival
Other, please specify

40 How much time would you estimate the entire process of voting
took you from the time you started till the time you sent your voted
ballot for November 7, 2006? Include registration/ballot request,
paperwork processing, phone calls or visits to official offices, as
applicable to you.
Less than 2 weeks
2 - 4 weeks
5 - 6 weeks
7 - 8 weeks
More than 8 weeks
I don't know

41 What was the TOTAL cost to you to return your registration AND
ballot materials, including postage and any other costs? (in $USD)
None
Under $5
$ 5 - $10
$10 - $25
$25 - $50
$50 - $100+

OMB Control No. 3265-0005

Exp. 5/31/2007

12/6/2006 1:31 PM

Zoomerang

13 of 16

http://www.zoomerang.com/members/print_survey_body.zgi?ID=L2...

Other, please specify

Continue

Survey Page 9

U.S. EAC - 2006 Overseas and Military Voter Survey
ALL SURVEY TAKERS RECEIVE THESE FINAL QUESTIONS

42 If you were to send a FAX, what type of FAX service would you use:
(check all that apply)
FAX machine always available
Pay-per-use FAX services
Internet FAX program
No FAX services available
I don't use FAX services
Other, please specify

43 How often do you access the Internet?
Daily
2-3 times a week
Once a week
Sometimes
Almost Never
Never

44 Where do you access the Internet? (check all that apply)
Home
Work
Internet Cafe
Library
Other, please specify

OMB Control No. 3265-0005

Exp. 5/31/2007

12/6/2006 1:31 PM

Zoomerang

14 of 16

http://www.zoomerang.com/members/print_survey_body.zgi?ID=L2...

45 What kind of Internet access location do you use: (check all that
apply)
Public
Private
Business
Other, please specify

46 In a future election, would you be comfortable sending in a voted
ballot electronically by email, FAX or voting online?
Yes
No
Not sure
Other, please specify

47 What concerns would you have about sending in a voted ballot
electronically by email, FAX or voting online? (check all that apply)
I do not have any concerns about voting online
I do not have any concerns about voting by FAX
I do not have any concerns about voting by email
I have privacy concerns
I have security concerns
I don't trust the Internet
I don't want to share personal information on the Internet
I'm concerned that my election official will see how I voted
I'm afraid that people could see how I voted
Other, please specify

Continue

Survey Page 10

U.S. EAC - 2006 Overseas and Military Voter Survey
ALL SURVEY TAKERS

OMB Control No. 3265-0005

Exp. 5/31/2007

12/6/2006 1:31 PM

Zoomerang

15 of 16

http://www.zoomerang.com/members/print_survey_body.zgi?ID=L2...

48 How old were you on November 7, 2006?
18 to 24 years
25 to 34 years
35 to 44 years
45 to 54 years
55 to 64 years
65 to 74 years
75 years and older

49 Please indicate your gender:
Male
Female

50 When did you last live in the US?
Less than 1 year ago
At least 1 year but less than 2 years ago
At least 2 years but less than 5 years ago
At least 5 year but less than 10 years ago
10 or more years ago
Does not apply - I am active duty / active duty family member
in the US

51 What is the highest level of formal education you have completed?
Some high school
High school graduate or GED
Trade school
College or associate’s degree
Bachelor’s degree
Advanced degree
Other, please specify

52 Did you have to go to the US Embassy or Consulate at any time in
the voting process?

53 How often do you go to the US Embassy or Consulate related to the
voting process during an average election year?
Never
Once

OMB Control No. 3265-0005

Exp. 5/31/2007

12/6/2006 1:31 PM

Zoomerang

16 of 16

http://www.zoomerang.com/members/print_survey_body.zgi?ID=L2...

Twice
Three times or more
Other, please specify

54 How long does it take to travel to the closest US
Consulate/Embassy from where you live right now?
Less than 1 hour
2-3 hours
4 or more hours

55 Please provide other comments or suggestions that you may have
here:

Continue

Survey Page 11

OMB Control No. 3265-0005

Exp. 5/31/2007

12/6/2006 1:31 PM

Thank you for participating in this EAC voter survey. Your feedback will
contribute to the further development and improvement of voter services
to overseas citizens and military absentee voters.

OMB Control No. 3265-0005

Exp. 5/31/2007