Survey of Election Officers following the 43rd Federal General Election

Final Report

Prepared for Elections Canada

June 2020

Supplier name: Phoenix Strategic Perspectives Inc.

Contract Number: 05005-18-0802

Award Date: 18 March 2019

For more information on this report, contact Elections Canada at rop-por@elections.ca.

Ce rapport est aussi disponible en français.

This public opinion research report presents the results of a survey conducted with election officers following the 43rd federal general election.

This publication may be reproduced for non-commercial purposes only. Prior written permission must be obtained from Elections Canada. For more information on this report, contact Elections Canada at rop-por@elections.ca.

Catalogue number: SE3-112/2020E-PDF
International Standard Book Number (ISBN): 978-0-660-35793-5

Related publications: Final report, French version
Catalogue number:  SE3-112/2020F-PDF
International Standard Book Number (ISBN): 978-0-660-35794-2

© Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, as represented by the Prime Minister of Canada, 2020.

Cette publication est aussi disponible en français sous le titre : Sondage auprès des fonctionnaires électoraux à la suite de la 43^e  élection générale fédérale

Table of Contents

• Executive Summary
• Introduction
  1. Background and Objectives
  2. Methodology
  3. Notes to Readers
• Detailed Findings
  1. Recruitment Process and Tools
  2. Profile of the Election Officers
  3. Training and Preparedness
  4. Experience Working at the Polls
  5. Satisfaction with Election Materials
  6. Voter Identification Requirements
  7. Poll workers' Absenteeism
  8. Working Conditions
  9. Use of Technology and Views on Introducing Electronic Methods
• Apppendix
  1. Methodological Notes
  2. Survey Questionnaire
  3. Political Neutrality Certification

List of Figures

• Figure 1: Awareness of Opportunity to Work in the Federal Election
• Figure 2: Ease of Recruiting Individuals to Work at the Polls
• Figure 3: Reasons for Disinterest in Working at a Polling Station
• Figure 4: Need to Hire Bilingual Poll Staff
• Figure 5: Difficulty Hiring Bilingual Poll Staff
• Figure 6: Lists of Names Provided by Candidates
• Figure 7: Suitability of the Lists of Names Provided by Candidates
• Figure 8: Special Accommodations for Applicants Experiencing Mental or Physical Barriers
• Figure 9: Level of Satisfaction with the Recruitment Management System
• Figure 10: Reasons for Dissatisfaction with RMS
• Figure 11: Use of Services to Fill Positions at the Polls
• Figure 12: Use of the Field Support Network
• Figure 13: Previous Experience as an Election Officer
• Figure 14: Gender
• Figure 15: Age
• Figure 16: Employment Status
• Figure 17: Highest Level of Education Reached
• Figure 18: Annual Household Income
• Figure 19: Disability Status
• Figure 20: Language Spoken at Home
• Figure 21: Ethnic and Cultural Background
• Figure 22: Level of Satisfaction with Training
• Figure 23: Unsatisfactory Aspects of Training
• Figure 24: Perceived Level of Preparedness Following Training
• Figure 25: Overall Satisfaction with Federal Election
• Figure 26: Extent to Which the Voting Process Went Smoothly
• Figure 27: Problems Encountered at the Polling Station
• Figure 28: Types of Difficulties Opening and Closing Polling Station
• Figure 29: Suitability of Workplace
• Figure 30: Reasons Location of Polling Station Was Not Suitable
• Figure 31: Ease of Registering Electors
• Figure 32: Exceptional Cases
• Figure 33: Reasons for Difficulties Accommodating Exceptional Cases
• Figure 34: Flow of Electors at the Polls
• Figure 35: Reasons the Flow of Electors at the Polls Went Poorly
• Figure 36: Frequency of Certain Problems at the Polls
• Figure 37: Candidates' Representatives
• Figure 38: Types of Issues with Candidates' Representatives
• Figure 39: Privacy in Voting Booths
• Figure 40: Preparedness to Provide Services to Electors with Disabilities
• Figure 41: Suitability of Tools and Services for Electors with Disabilities
• Figure 42: Electors with Disabilities
• Figure 43: Frequency of Electors with Disabilities Having Difficulties Completing Their Ballot
• Figure 44: Difficulties Providing Services to Electors in Official Languages
• Figure 45: Level of Satisfaction with Election Materials Provided
• Figure 46: Unsatisfactory Election Materials
• Figure 47: Perceived Usefulness of the Guidebook
• Figure 48: Level of Difficulty Completing the Various Forms Provided
• Figure 49: Types of Forms That Were Difficult to Use
• Figure 50: Complexity of Election Instructions
• Figure 51: Ease of Identification of Electors
• Figure 52: Ability to Apply the Voter Identification Requirements
• Figure 53: Preparedness of Electors to Meet Voter Identification Requirements
• Figure 54: Difficulties Proving Address or Identity
• Figure 55: Types of Difficulties Electors Had Proving Their Address or Identity
• Figure 56: Difficulties Completing Required Procedures at the Polls
• Figure 57: Ease of Identification with Voter Information Card
• Figure 58: Frequency of Electors' Identity Being Challenged
• Figure 59: Shift Attendance
• Figure 60: Reasons for Absence During Scheduled Shifts
• Figure 61: Backfilling Positions
• Figure 62: Impact of Absent Poll Staff
• Figure 63: Experience with Working Conditions
• Figure 64: Reasons Working Conditions Were Viewed as Poor
• Figure 65: Potential Changes to Make It Easier for Staff to Do Their Work
• Figure 66: Harassment in the Workplace
• Figure 67: Harassment in the Workplace (from Whom)
• Figure 68: Satisfaction with Hourly Rate of Pay
• Figure 69: Receipt of Paycheque
• Figure 70: Satisfaction with Time It Took to Receive Paycheque
• Figure 71: Satisfaction with Time It Is Taking to Receive Paycheque
• Figure 72: Use of Technology for Personal Purposes
• Figure 73: Ability to Learn New Technology
• Figure 74: Preferred Method of Counting Votes
• Figure 75: Level of Comfortability with Electronic Lists of Electors

• Next