Appendix - Survey of Election Officers for the 44th Federal General Election

2. Survey Questionnaire

Phone introduction

A) Hello, may I please speak with [Insert name from sample]?

Interviewer note: If in doubt, confirm whether respondent would like to be interviewed in English or French.

My name is ________ and I am calling on behalf of Elections Canada from Phoenix Strategic Perspectives. We are doing an important study about the federal election. You may have heard from your respective returning officer that Elections Canada would be contacting election officers to get a better understanding of their satisfaction with working in the election. Feedback from this survey is very valuable and will help us identify potential improvements for future elections.

B) Please be assured that I am not selling anything and that we are not inquiring about your political opinions. Your survey participation is voluntary and your answers will be kept entirely confidential.

Interviewer notes:

C) Phone interview: We are conducting a survey of people who worked as election officers in the last general election. The survey takes about 20 minutes to complete. Are you willing to take part? We can do it now or at a time more convenient for you.

Please note that this call may be recorded for quality control or training purposes. Any personal information collected is subject to the federal Privacy Act and will be held in strict confidence. By taking part in this survey, you consent to the use of your answers for research and statistical purposes. The anonymous database of all responses may be shared with external researchers under the strict condition that no personal information is ever distributed or made public.

D) [Refusal conversion] web request: You may also complete this survey online. Do you have access to a computer, tablet or phone connected to the Internet at home or elsewhere that you could use to complete the survey?

If yes: We would send you an email or text message with a link to the survey to complete when you have time. Are you willing to take part?

If yes ask: Would you prefer a text message or an email?

Sms: What mobile phone number would you like us to send the survey link to?

Email: Could you please confirm your email address for me?

Endsms: Thank you for agreeing to participate. We will send you a text message with the survey link shortly.

Endemail: Thank you for agreeing to participate. We will send you an email with the survey link shortly.

Web survey landing page

Please select the language in which you wish to complete the survey.

[Next]

Thank you for agreeing to take part in this short survey being conducted on behalf of Elections Canada by Phoenix Strategic Perspectives. Click here if you wish to contact Elections Canada to verify the authenticity of this survey. The survey is about your experience as an election officer during the last general election. It should take no more than 20 minutes to complete and is voluntary and completely confidential.

Elections Canada is required by the Privacy Act to protect your personal information. Elections Canada will not use your responses to identify you, and none of your opinions will be attributed to you personally in any way. To view Phoenix's privacy policy, click here.

[Next]

Section 1: general

Let's begin with a general question:

How did you become aware of the opportunity to work at the 2021 federal election?

[Phone] (do not read. Record all mentions. Do not probe)

[Web] (select all that apply; rotate options)

Precoded responses

[50/50 Split sample Q2 and Q3]

(Phone) Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, poll workers for this election had to accept the following conditions of employment:

(Web: use a mouseover/hyperlink)

Were you made aware of the COVID-19 conditions of employment when you were recruited as a poll worker? [Do not read]

(Only ask if staffing position in database = 01-04: CPS,IO, REGO, DRO) Some people were unable or decided not to show up for all of their scheduled shifts for a variety of reasons. Which of the following describes you? (Read all)

(If q.4=1 or 2) What was the reason you were absent for (IF Q.4=1 "one/some of") (if Q.4=2 "all of") your shift(s)?

[Phone] (do not read. Record all mentions. Do not probe)

[Web] (select all that apply; rotate options)

Pre-coded responses

(Only ask if staffing position in database = 01-04: CPS,IO, REGO, DRO) Which type of polling station did you work at: [Read list; accept multiple responses, but do not accept 02 and 03 together. Ask for clarification and code as 03 if both 02 and 03]

As a/an (Insert accordingly – use full label below: CPS, IO, REGO, DRO), how would you rate your overall level of satisfaction with the way the last federal election went at your polling place? Are you...? [Read list]

Section 2: training

All election officers received training. How satisfied were you with the training session? Were you...? [Read all]

(If q.8 = 03 or 04) What aspects of the training were you not satisfied with?

[Phone] (do not read) (record up to three mentions – do not probe)

[Web] (open question)

Precoded responses

10a) (If q.4 ≠ 02) Generally speaking, how well did the training prepare you to undertake your tasks during the last federal election? Would you say you were...? [Read list]

10b) (If q.4 = 02) Generally speaking, how well prepared did you feel after the training?

11) Did you receive your training in your preferred official language? [Do not read]

12) In what format did you receive your training?

(If staffing position in database = 01 cps, allow to select all that apply)

13) Deleted

Section 3: election materials

14) Overall, how satisfied were you with the election materials that were provided to you? Were you...? [Read all]

(Phone) [If asked] Election materials are items such as posters, signs, guidebook, instructions for closing the polls, ballots, etc. (Web: use a mouseover/hyperlink)

15) Deleted

16) Deleted

17) How easy or difficult was it to complete the various forms that you were provided? Was it... [Read all]

(Phone) [If asked] Forms are documents such as registration forms, statement of electors who voted on polling day (commonly known as bingo sheets), special procedure forms, etc. (Web: use a mouseover/hyperlink)

18) Deleted

Section 4: polling proceedings

19) Would you say that the building where you worked was suitable for holding an election? [Do not read] NOTE: IF RESPONDENTS VOLUNTEER THAT THEY WORKED AT MORE THAN ONE BUILDING, INSTRUCT THEM TO RESPOND BASED ON THE ONE THEY WORKED AT ON ELECTION DAY.

[Web note: If you worked at more than one building, please base your response on the building where you worked on Election Day.]

20) (If q.19 = 02) Why was the building not suitable?

[Phone] (do not read, record up to three mentions – do not probe)

[Web] (open question)

Precoded responses

21) (Only ask if staffing position in database = 01-03: cps, rego, dro) How easy or difficult was it to register electors? Was it...? [Read all]

22) Deleted

23) Deleted

24) Overall, would you say that during your working hours the flow of electors at the polls went...? [Read all]

25) (If Q24 = 03 or 04) Why was the flow of electors not smooth?

[Phone] (do not read. Record up to three mentions)

[Web] (open question.)

Precoded responses

26) (Only ask if staffing position in database = 01/cps or 03/rego) How often, if at all, did you witness individuals asking to vote who were not on the list of electors and unable to be registered at the polling station for whatever reason?

[50/50 SPLIT SAMPLE Q27 and Q28]

27) How well did the training prepare you to provide services to electors with disabilities? Would you say that you were...? [READ ALL]

28) Were the tools and services for electors with disabilities at your polling place suitable? [Do not read]

29) Did you notice any electors with disabilities having difficulties completing their ballot? [Do not read]

30) (If Q.29 = 01) How often did you notice electors with disabilities having difficulties completing their ballot? [Read all]

31) Did you encounter any difficulties in providing services to electors in [Insert language: 'English' IN QC; 'French' Outside of qc]? [Do not read]

32) (If q.31 = 01) What difficulties did you encounter while serving electors in the other official language? (Open Question)

33) How often did you greet electors with [Insert: "Hi/Bonjour" Outside of quebec/ "Bonjour/Hi" In quebec] as a way of offering service in both official languages? [Do not read list unless needed]

34) Deleted

35) Did you notice any issues with candidates' representatives performing their duties? [Do not read]

36) (If Q.35 = 01) Could you tell us the nature of the issues with candidates' representatives?

[Phone] (do not read. Record up to 3 mentions)

[Web] (open question)

Precoded responses

37) Overall, how strongly do you agree or disagree that the voting process went smoothly at your polling location? [Read all]

The next few questions are about your experience working at the polls with the COVID-19 safety measures that were in place.

38) Deleted

39) Deleted

40) When you first went in to work at the poll, how informed did you feel about the COVID-19 safety measures in place?

41) When working at the poll, how well would you say electors understood the instructions on how to vote safely?

42) When working at the poll, how often, if at all, did you need to ask electors to put on their mask?

43) How satisfied were you with the personal protective equipment provided to you by Elections Canada for use when working at the polls?

44) When thinking about your experience working at the poll, would you say that the measures in place for COVID-19 made you feel...

45) (IF Q.44=3 OR 4) Could you briefly describe why you did not feel safe?

46) Did the COVID-19 safety measures in place at the poll make your job difficult?

47) (If q.46=1) How did the COVID-19 safety measures make your job difficult?

Section 5: identification requirements

(Phone) I'd now like to ask you some questions specifically on electors' identification at the polls.

(Web) These next questions are about electors' identification at the polls.

48) Overall, how well did the identification of electors proceed at your polling location? Would you say it went...? [READ ALL]

49) Deleted

50) (Ask if staffing position in database = 02/io or 03/rego or 04/dro) Did you notice electors having any difficulties proving their address or identity?

51) Deleted

[50/50 Split sample q52 and q53]

52) Do you strongly agree, somewhat agree, somewhat disagree or strongly disagree that the voter information card facilitated the identification of electors?

[Show online]

53) (ASK IF STAFFING POSITION IN DATABASE = 01-04; CPS, IO, REGO, DRO) How often, if at all, did you witness an elector's identity being challenged by a candidate or a candidate's representative?

Section 6: working for the 44th general election

ALL ELECTION OFFICERS

54) Thinking about your experience during the 2021 federal election, do you strongly agree, somewhat agree, somewhat disagree or strongly disagree with the following statements: [READ ITEM]

[Show online] 55) (If Q.54 c or Q.54 d = 01 or 02) Why did you say there were problems opening and/or closing the polling station?

[Phone] (do not read. Record up to three mentions)

[Web] (open question)

Precoded responses

56) (If Q.54 e = 01 or 02) What kinds of accessibility issues did you notice?

[Phone] (do not read. Record up to three mentions)

[Web] (open question)

57) (Ask if staffing position = DRO) How much do you agree or disagree with the following statement: As a DRO, it was easy to process voters without needing support from my colleagues.

58) (Ask if staffing position = CPS) How much do you agree or disagree with the following statement: As a CPS, I often had to step in to support the DROs as they processed voters.

59) Deleted

60) (Ask if q6 = 2) Were you involved in the management of the vote-by-mail drop box at your polling place [Do not read]?

61) (ASK IF Q60=01) (Phone) Thinking about your experience managing the vote-by-mail drop box, would you say that: [READ ITEM]
(Web) (GRID) Thinking about your experience managing the vote-by-mail drop box, would you say that:

[Show online]

62) How satisfied are you with your hourly rate of pay? Are you...? [READ ALL]

63) Have you received your paycheque for the time you worked during the election? [Do not read]

64) (If Q.63=01) Was the time it took to receive your paycheque...? [Read all]

65) (If q.63=02) Is the time it is taking to receive your paycheque...?

66) Overall, would you say that the working conditions you experienced were...? [Read all]

67) (If Q.66 = 03 or 04) Why do you say that?

[Phone] (do not read. Record up to three mentions)

[Web] (open question)

Precoded responses

68) While you were working, were any fellow poll staff absent for part or all of their shifts?

69) (If q.68=01) Would you say that this had no impact, a minor impact, a moderate impact or a major impact on your work?

70) Deleted

71) Deleted

72) Deleted

73) Deleted

(Phone) Now I will ask you some questions about harassment in the workplace.

(Web) These next questions are about harassment in the workplace.

Harassment includes act(s), comment(s) or display(s) that demean, belittle, offend, or cause personal embarrassment, and any act of intimidation or threat. Harassment can be a series of incidents or one severe incident that has a lasting impact on an individual.

74) Did you experience harassment while working during the election? [Do not read]

75) (If Q.74= 01) Would you say you were subjected to...

76) (If Q.74= 01) From whom did you experience harassment while working during the election? (Phone) We're not looking for you to identify the person(s) by name. Elections Canada just wants to understand the source of the harassment you experienced. Please be assured that your anonymity and the confidentiality of your responses are protected. [Do not read; Accept multiple responses] [web: rotate options]

77) DELETED

78) DELETED

79) DELETED

80) DELETED

81) DELETED

Section 8: sociodemographics

(Phone) To conclude the survey, I would like to ask you a few quick questions about yourself. Your answers will be used solely for statistical purposes. Let me remind you that this study is completely confidential.

(Web) These last few questions are about you. Your answers will be used solely for statistical purposes and participation in this study is completely confidential.

82) Have you been vaccinated with at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine?

83) Have you ever worked as an election officer in a provincial election? [Do not read]

84) What is your gender? [Read all]

85) What is your year of birth?

86) What best describes your current employment status? [Read all; stop when respondent provides an answer]

87) What is the highest level of education that you have reached? [Do not read; confirm completion of degree/program/diploma if not clear]

Elections Canada wants to ensure that its workplaces are accessible to all its employees including people who have difficulty doing some tasks or daily activities.

88) Would you please indicate whether you have any of the following conditions?

[Phone] (read all, record all mentions, rotate options) note: ensure respondents have time to process conditions and give a complete answer.

[Web] (select all that apply; rotate options)

89) What was the total annual income of all members of your household combined, before taxes, in 2020? [Read all; stop when respondent provides an answer]

90) What language do you speak most often at home?

91) Were you born in Canada?

92) (If Q.91 = 02) In what year did you become a citizen of Canada?

93) Are you First Nations, Métis or Inuk (Inuit)?

94) (Only ask if q93 = 04) Could you please tell me your ethnic or cultural background?

This concludes the interview. On behalf of Elections Canada, I thank you for your time. Please be assured that the findings of this research will be used as statistical information and that all information you have provided will be kept anonymous.

If interested: Elections Canada will publish a report on its website once completed. You will be able to access the report there.

If asked: Their website address is www.elections.ca.

If asked: Elections Canada has not indicated the exact date when the results would be published, but it should be at the beginning of the summer in 2022.

Terminate.