Form EAC AV Q 0001 EAC AV Q 0001 EAC Alternative Voting Methods Questionnaire

U.S. ELECTION ASSISTANCE COMMISSION
ALTERNATIVE VOTING METHODS STUDY

Hello, my name is _________________. We are conducting an important study for the U.S.
Election Assistance Commission. This survey is for research purposes only, we are not selling
anything and we are not associated with or being paid by any political party or candidate. Your
participation is voluntary and will only take a few minutes of your time. All your answers will be
strictly confidential. Am I speaking with someone 18 or older?

S1

To make sure our survey includes many different kinds of people, I need to ask a few
questions about who lives in your household. How many adults age 18 or older live in
your household?
1
One–GO TO S2
2
Two or more–GO TO S3

ASK IF ONLY ONE ADULT AGE 18+ IN HH (S1=1)
S2
May I please speak to that person?
1
Continue with current respondent–GO TO Q1
2
New respondent being brought to phone–GO TO INTRO2
3
New respondent not available–SCHEDULE CALL BACK
9
Refused–TERMINATE

ASK IF MORE THAN ONE ADULT AGE 18+ IN HH (S1=2)
S3
May I please speak with the adult (18+) in your household who has most recently had a
birthday. Are you this person?
1
Yes–GO TO Q1
2
No–ASK TO SPEAK TO THAT PERSON AND REINTRODUCE THE
SURVEY
ASK ALL
Q1
How would you rate your neighborhood as a place to live? Would you say it is excellent,
good, fair or poor?
1
Excellent
2
Good
3
Fair
4
Poor
8
Don’t know [DO NOT READ]
9
Refused [DO NOT READ]
OMB Control No. pending

Expiration Date: xx/xx/xxx

1

ASK ALL IN UNITED STATES
Q2
Can you please tell me which state you currently live in?
1
Gave response [Record verbatim—OK to use official two letter abbreviations]
8
Don’t know [DO NOT READ]
9
Refused [DO NOT READ]
ASK ALL IN UNITED STATES
Q3a And have you been living in this state at least 9 months?
1
Yes
2
No [TERMINATE INTERVIEW]
8
Don’t know [DO NOT READ] [TERMINATE INTERVIEW]
9
Refused [DO NOT READ] [TERMINATE INTERVIEW]
ASK ALL IN PUERTO RICO
Q3a Have you been living in Puerto Rico at least 9 months?
1
Yes
2
No [TERMINATE INTERVIEW]
8
Don’t know [DO NOT READ] [TERMINATE INTERVIEW]
9
Refused [DO NOT READ] [TERMINATE INTERVIEW]
ASK ALL
Q3b And are you a U.S. citizen or not?
1
Yes
2
No [TERMINATE INTERVIEW]
8
Don’t know [DO NOT READ] [TERMINATE INTERVIEW]
9
Refused [DO NOT READ] [TERMINATE INTERVIEW]
ASK ALL
Q4
Switching topics, how much information do you feel you have about politics and current
events in the United States today? Do you have a great deal of information, a fair amount,
not very much or no information at all?
1
Great deal
2
Fair amount
3
Not very much
4
None at all
8
Don’t know [DO NOT READ]
9
Refused [DO NOT READ]

OMB Control No. pending

Expiration Date: xx/xx/xxx

2

ASK ALL
Q5a How much information do you feel you have about the way elections are organized in
your community such as the rules about who can vote, where to go to vote, etc? Do you
have a great deal of information, a fair amount, not very much or no information at all?
1
Great deal
2
Fair amount
3
Not very much
4
None at all
8
Don’t know [DO NOT READ]
9
Refused [DO NOT READ]
ASK ALL
Q5b And how often would you say you vote in elections—always, nearly always, part of the
time, seldom or never?
1
Always
2
Nearly always
3
Part of the time
4
Seldom
5
Never
8
Don’t know [DO NOT READ]
9
Refused [DO NOT READ]
ASK ALL
Q6
These days, many people are so busy they can't find time to register to vote or move
around so often they don't get a chance to re-register. Are you CURRENTLY registered
to vote or haven't you been able to register so far? (Trend Question: Pew Research Center
Oct. 11, 2006)
[IF RESPONDENT ANSWERS YES, ASK: Are you registered to vote at your
CURRENT address or are you registered to vote at some OTHER previous address]
1
Yes, registered at current address
2
Yes, registered at other/previous address
3
No, not registered
8
Don’t know [DO NOT READ]
9
Refused [DO NOT READ]
ASK IF NOT REGISTERED TO VOTE (Q6 = 3)
Q7a What would you say is the MAIN reason you’re not registered to vote? [OPEN END;
ACCEPT UP TO THREE RESPONSES BUT DO NOT PROBE FOR MORE THAN
ONE]
1
Gave response [Record verbatim]
8
Don’t know [DO NOT READ]
9
Refused [DO NOT READ]

OMB Control No. pending

Expiration Date: xx/xx/xxx

3

ASK IF REGISTERED TO VOTE (Q6 = 1 or 2)
Q7b Can you please tell me which state you are currently registered to vote in?
1
Gave response [Record verbatim—OK to use official two letter abbreviations]
8
Don’t know [DO NOT READ]
9
Refused [DO NOT READ]
ASK ALL IN UNITED STATES
Q8a We understand from talking to lots of people, that not everyone votes in every election.
Did you vote in the 2006 Election this past November for either a Senator or
Congressperson?
1
Yes
2
No
3
Not 18 at the time/Not eligible [DO NOT READ]
8
Don’t know [DO NOT READ]
9
Refused [DO NOT READ]
ASK IF DID NOT VOTE 2006 (Q8a=2 or 3)
Q8b Can you please tell me why you did not vote in the 2006 elections?
1
Gave response
8
Don’t know [DO NOT READ]
9
Refused [DO NOT READ]
ASK ALL
Q9a And did you vote in the 2004 (in US: Presidential election between George Bush and
John Kerry) (in PR: election for Resident Commissioner)?
1
Yes
2
No
3
Not 18 at the time/Not eligible [DO NOT READ]
8
Don’t know [DO NOT READ]
9
Refused [DO NOT READ]
ASK IF DID NOT VOTE 2004 (Q9a=2 or 3)
Q9b Can you please tell me why you did not vote in the 2004 elections?
1
Gave response
8
Don’t know [DO NOT READ]
9
Refused [DO NOT READ]
ASK ALL
Q10a And thinking about the upcoming 2008 election for (in US: President) (in PR: Resident
Commissioner), would you say it is more likely that you will vote or more likely that you
will NOT vote?
1
Likely to vote
2
Likely to NOT vote
8
Don’t know [DO NOT READ]
9
Refused [DO NOT READ]

OMB Control No. pending

Expiration Date: xx/xx/xxx

4

ASK IF LIKELY TO VOTE (Q10a=1)
Q10b Would you say you are absolutely certain to vote, very likely to vote, or fairly likely to
vote?
1
Absolutely certain to vote
2
Very likely to vote
3
Fairly likely to vote
8
Don’t know [DO NOT READ]
9
Refused [DO NOT READ]
ASK IF UNLIKELY TO VOTE (Q10a=2)
Q10c Would you say you are absolutely certain not to vote, very likely not to vote, or fairly
likely not to vote?
1
Absolutely certain not to vote
2
Very likely not to vote
3
Fairly likely not to vote
8
Don’t know [DO NOT READ]
9
Refused [DO NOT READ]
ASK ALL
Q11 How much confidence do you have in the system in which votes are cast and counted in
(in US: this country) (in PR: Puerto Rico)? Do you have a great deal, fair amount, not
very much, or no confidence at all in the system in which votes are cast and counted?
1
Great deal
2
Fair amount
3
Not very much
4
None at all
8
Don’t know [DO NOT READ]
9
Refused [DO NOT READ]
ASK ALL
Q12 There are many ways for people to vote, and some prefer one way over another. If you
had the choice of voting in a booth at a polling place on Election Day or over the Internet
or through the mail during the weeks leading up to Election Day, which would you
prefer? (Trend question: Pew Research Center March 2000)
1
Vote in booth at polling place on Election Day
2
Vote over the Internet
3
Vote through the mail during the weeks leading up to Election Day
8
Don’t know [DO NOT READ]
9
Refused [DO NOT READ]

OMB Control No. pending

Expiration Date: xx/xx/xxx

5

ASK ALL
Q13 Some people have suggested reforms to the election process. Would you strongly favor
somewhat favor, somewhat oppose or strongly oppose (insert item).
How about (insert item)— strongly favor somewhat favor, somewhat oppose or strongly
oppose?
RANDOMIZE A thru C
A
(ASK ONLY IN US) setting a uniform poll closing time on election night, so that
all polling places across the country close at the same time regardless of the
timezone? (Trend question: CBS News December 2000)?
B
changing the day of the election from Tuesday to a weekend so that people would
be able to vote on either Saturday or Sunday [IF ASKED, the polls would be open
both days and you could choose if you wanted to vote on Saturday or Sunday]?
C
holding elections over multiple WEEKdays?
D
(ASK ONLY IN US) making Election Day into a federal holiday? This would
mean that schools would be closed and many people would have the day off work
on Election Day.
1
Strongly favor
2
Somewhat favor
3
Somewhat oppose
4
Strongly oppose
5
Depends what day [DO NOT READ]
8
Don’t know [DO NOT READ]
9
Refused [DO NOT READ]
ASK IF OPPOSE FEDERAL HOLIDAY (Q13D=3, 4)
Q14a Can you please tell me why you oppose making Election Day a Federal holiday?
1
Gave response [Record verbatim]
8
Don’t know [DO NOT READ]
9
Refused [DO NOT READ]
ASK IF FAVOR HOLIDAY or DEPENDS WHAT DAY (Q13D= 1, 2, or 5)
Q14b And would you prefer the holiday to be on our traditional Election Day, on the first
Tuesday in November, an already existing Federal Holiday, or some other day or would it
make no difference to you?
1
Traditional Election Day – first Tuesday in November
2
Existing Federal Holiday
3
Some other day
4
Makes no difference
8
Don’t Know [DO NOT READ]
9
No Answer/Refused [DO NOT READ]

OMB Control No. pending

Expiration Date: xx/xx/xxx

6

ASK ALL
Q15 I am going to read out a number of different ways of voting some people are talking
about. For each, please tell me if you think it will make you PERSONALLY more likely
to vote, less likely to vote, or would it make no difference in the likelihood you will vote
in future elections? Would (insert) make you PERSONALLY more likely to vote, less
likely to vote, or would it make no difference to YOU?
RANDOMIZE A thru G
A
Giving you the option to vote in-person or by mail
B
Giving you the option to vote at any polling station in your area
C
Giving you the option to vote in person or online
D
Extending the hours the polls are open on Election Day so you could vote earlier
or later
E
Holding elections over the whole weekEND so that you have the option of voting
on either Saturday or Sunday
F
Holding elections over two week DAYS
G
(Ask only in US) Making the day on which elections are held a Federal holiday
1
More likely to vote
2
Less likely to vote
3
Make no difference
8
Don’t know [DO NOT READ]
9
Refused [DO NOT READ]
ASK ALL
Q16 What ONE of these changes that we just talked about, if any, would make the biggest
difference in your ability to be able to vote in elections? [RANDOMIZE RESPONSE
OPTIONS AND READ OUT]
1
Option to vote in-person or by mail
2
Option to vote at any polling station in your area
3
Option to vote in person or online
4
Extending the hours the polls are open on Election Day so you could vote earlier
or later
5
Holding elections over the whole weekEND so that you have the option of voting
on either Saturday or Sunday
6
Holding elections over two week DAYS
7
Making the day on which elections are held a Federal holiday
8
No change will make more likely [DO NOT READ]
98
Don’t know [DO NOT READ]
99
Refused [DO NOT READ]

OMB Control No. pending

Expiration Date: xx/xx/xxx

7

ASK ALL
Q17 Some jurisdictions are discussing an election system in which all residents cast their vote
through the mail in the weeks leading up to Election Day, rather than going to a polling
place to vote in an election booth. Do you strongly favor, somewhat favor, somewhat
oppose or strongly oppose replacing voting booths with voting by mail? (Trend Question:
Pew Research Center Oct. 11, 2006)
1
Strongly favor
2
Somewhat favor
3
Somewhat oppose
4
Strongly oppose
8
Don’t Know [DO NOT READ]
9
No Answer/Refused [DO NOT READ]
ASK ALL
Q18 Now I’m going to ask you to compare a traditional voting booth with voting over the
Internet. For each item I mention, please tell me whether you think that a traditional
voting booth or voting over the Internet would be a better method for addressing that
concern. If you think that both methods would be equally good, just say so. Do you think
a traditional voting booth or voting over the internet would be better at (insert item) or do
you think that both methods are equally good at (insert item).
RANDOMIZE A thru C
A
Preventing fraud
B
Ensuring an accurate vote count.
C
Encouraging greater voter participation
1
Traditional voting booth
2
Internet voting
3
Both equally good
4
Neither good [DO NOT READ]
8
Don’t Know [DO NOT READ]
9
No Answer/Refused [DO NOT READ]
ASK ALL
Q19 And how about comparing a traditional voting booth with voting through the MAIL.
Do you think a traditional voting booth or voting through the MAIL would be better at
(insert item) or do you think that both methods are equally good at (insert item).
RANDOMIZE A thru C
A
Preventing fraud
B
Ensuring an accurate vote count.
C
Encouraging greater voter participation
1
Traditional voting booth
2
Voting through the mail
3
Both equally good
4
Neither good [DO NOT READ]
8
Don’t Know [DO NOT READ]
9
No Answer/Refused [DO NOT READ]

OMB Control No. pending

Expiration Date: xx/xx/xxx

8

ASK IF VOTED IN 2004 OR 2006 (Q8a or Q9a=1)
Q20 For the next few questions, I would like you to think about your experiences voting in the
(IF Q8a=1: the 2006 congressional elections) (IF in US AND Q8a=2 AND Q9a=1: 2004
presidential election) (IF in PR AND Q9a=1: 2004 election for Resident Commissioner).
Do you recall if you voted BEFORE Election Day, that is at an early voting site or with
an absentee ballot, OR did you vote in person ON Election Day?
1
Before Election Day - Early Voting Site/Absentee
2
In person on Election Day
3
Dropped off absentee ballot on Election Day [DO NOT READ]
8
Don’t know [DO NOT READ]
9
Refused [DO NOT READ]
ASK IF VOTED BEFORE ELECTION DAY (IF Q20 = 1)
Q21 And when you voted BEFORE Election Day in the (IF Q8a=1: 2006 elections) (IF
Q8a=2 AND Q9a=1: 2004 elections), do you recall if you voted at an early voting site or
through the mail?
1
Voted at early voting site
2
Voted through the mail
3
Did not vote before Election Day [DO NOT READ]
8
Don’t know [DO NOT READ]
9
Refused [DO NOT READ]
ASK IF VOTED ON ELECTION DAY (IF Q20 = 2)
Q22 And were you assigned to a polling place or were you allowed to vote at any polling
place in your area?
1
Assigned polling place
2
Allowed to vote at any polling place in area
8
Don’t know [DO NOT READ]
9
Refused [DO NOT READ]
ASK ALL
Now I have just a few questions so we can describe the people who took part in our survey.
D1

Record gender
1
Male
2
Female

D2

What is your age?
Record range 18-96
97
97 or older
98
Don’t know [DO NOT READ]
99
Refused [DO NOT READ]

OMB Control No. pending

Expiration Date: xx/xx/xxx

9

D3

What is the highest level of education you received?
1
High School or less
2
Some College
3
College Graduate
4
Post graduate
8
Don’t know [DO NOT READ]
9
Refused [DO NOT READ]

D4

Do you or anyone in your household own a business?
1
Yes
2
No
8
Don’t know [DO NOT READ]
9
Refused [DO NOT READ]

D5a

Which of the following best describes your current employment status—employed, selfemployed, retired and not working, are you not in the labor force, or are you unemployed
and looking for work?
1
Employed
2
Self-employed
3
Retired and not working
4
Not in the labor force [INTERVIEWER, this includes homemakers]
6
Unemployed and looking for work
8
Don’t know [DO NOT READ]
9
Refused [DO NOT READ]

ASK IF EMPLOYED OR SELF EMPLOYED (D5a=1 or 2)
D5b
Is this part-time or full-time?
1
Part-time
2
Full-time
8
Don’t know [DO NOT READ]
9
Refused [DO NOT READ]
ASK IF EMPLOYED (D5a=1)
D5c What is your MAIN occupation?
1
Gave response
8
Don’t know [DO NOT READ]
9
Refused [DO NOT READ]

OMB Control No. pending

Expiration Date: xx/xx/xxx

10

ASK IF GAVE RESPONSE (D5c=1)
D5d And would you characterize this occupation as…?
1
Executive/ high-level management
2
Professional/ middle manager
3
Technical/ administrative/ clerical
4
Service worker/ protective services
5
Skilled labor
6
Unskilled labor
8
Don’t know [DO NOT READ]
9
Refused [DO NOT READ]
ASK ALL
D6
Are you yourself of Latino or Hispanic origin or descent, such as (Ask in US: Mexican,
Cuban,) Puerto Rican, Cuban, or some other Latin American background?
1
Yes
2
No
8
Don’t know [DO NOT READ]
9
Refused [DO NOT READ]
D7

What is your race? (If Latino ask :) Are you white Latino, black Latino or some other
race? (Else:) Are you white, African American or black, Asian or some other race?
1
White/White Latino
2
African American/Black/Black Latino
3
Asian/Asian Latino
4
Other
8
Don’t know [DO NOT READ]
9
Refused [DO NOT READ]

D8

Last year, that is in 2006, what was your total household income from all sources before
taxes? Was it under or over $40,000?
1
Under $40,000
2
Over $40,000
8
Don’t know [DO NOT READ]
9
Refused [DO NOT READ]

OMB Control No. pending

Expiration Date: xx/xx/xxx

11

ASK IF INCOME LESS THAN $40,000 (D8=1)
D9a Now just stop me when I get to the right category. Was your income ...
Read responses
1
Less than $10,000
2
$10,000 to under $15,000
3
$15,000 to under $20,000
4
$20,000 to under $25,000
5
$25,000 to under $30,000
6
$30,000 to under $35,000 or
7
$35,000 to under $40,000
8
Don’t know [DO NOT READ]
9
Refused [DO NOT READ]
ASK IF INCOME MORE THAN $40,000 (D8=2)
D9b Now just stop me when I get to the right category. Was your income ...
Read responses
1
$40,000 to under $50,000
2
$50,000 to under $75,000
3
$75,000 to under $100,000
4
$100,000 to under $150,000 or
5
$150,000 or more
8
Don’t know [DO NOT READ]
9
Refused [DO NOT READ]
Thank you. That is all of the questions I have for you.
*This information collection is required for the EAC to meet its statutory requirements under the
Help America Vote Act (HAVA) of 2002 (42 U.S.C. 15301). Respondent’s reply to this
information collection is voluntary; respondents are required to be U.S. citizens. This information
will be made publicly available on the EAC website at www.eac.gov. According to the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, an agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not
required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a valid OMB control number.
The valid OMB control number for this information collection is OMB Control No. Pending
(expires Pending). The time required to complete this information collection is estimated to
average 15 minutes per response. Comments regarding this burden estimate should be sent to the
Program Manager – 2007 Alternative Voting Methods Study, U.S. Election Assistance
Commission, 1225 New York Ave, NW, Suite 1100, Washington, DC 20005.

OMB Control No. pending

Expiration Date: xx/xx/xxx

12