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Online Survey of Associations


MAIN FINDINGS

Profile of responding organizations

The table on the next page presents a profile of the 119 organizations that responded to this survey. Highlights of this profile include the following:

  • Almost half (46%) of the total sample is made up of ethnocultural organizations. None of the four aboriginal associations invited responded to the survey.
  • Among youth and student associations, the vast majority represent students at the university level (82%), although some represent students at both the college/CEGEP and university levels. Associations are split fairly evenly split between those representing youth age 18-24 (45%) and age 25-34 (37%).
  • The majority of associations were local in scope (56%), while one in five (21%) were national.
  • Virtually all associations (96%) provide services directly to their members. Although one- quarter (25%) provide services to fewer than 1,000 individuals, almost as many (24%) provide services to 10,000 or more.

Most respondents to the survey were senior representatives of their organizations, with President/CEO (15%), coordinator (13%) and Executive/Director (12%) the most common designations.

Total
%
Type of Association
Ethnocultural associations 46
Associations for persons with special needs 22
Student associations 30
Youth groups 2
Does your organization represent... (student/youth only)*
Students at the college/CEGEP level 34
Students at the university level 82
Youth (18-24 years old) 45
Youth (25-34 years old) 37
Thinking about the geographic scope of your activities, would you describe your organization as national, provincial or local?
National 21
Provincial 20
Local 56
Not sure 3
Does your organization provide information and/or services directly to its members?
Yes 96
No 3
Not sure 2
On an annual basis, to how many people would you say that your organization provides information or services?
Less than 1,000 25
1,000 to 4,999 20
5,000 to 9,999 11
10,000 to 49,999 13
50,000 or more 11
Unclassifiable 17
DK/NA 4

* Total exceeds 100% due to multiple responses

Provision of information to association membership

TYPES OF INFORMATION PROVIDED

Three-quarters of participating associations provided election-related information to members during the 40th general election, most commonly on how, when and where to register and/or vote. Most distributed the information during sessions or through displays.

Participating associations were asked whether they provide information related to federal elections to their members and how they provide this information.

Three-quarters (77%) of these associations report having provided election-related information to members during the 40th general election, with a somewhat smaller proportion (62%) having provided such information in past federal elections. One in five associations (22%) report never having provided election information to members.

Provision of election information to members
40th general election

Provision of election information to members

Types of information commonly provided include information on how, when and where to vote (85%) or register (79%), who is eligible to vote (77%) and voter identification (69%). Associations also commonly provide information on candidates (62%) and political parties (59%). Student/youth associations are particularly likely to provide information on political parties (79%).

Types of information provided to members
40th general election
%
How, when and where to vote 85
How and where to register 79
Who can vote 77
The voter identification required at the poll in order to vote 69
Information about candidates 62
Information about political parties 59
Information on how to vote/FAQs 7
Hold debates/candidates forum 5
Accessibility 4
Links to information/candidates/platforms 4
Stress importance of voting 3
Other 2
Not sure or prefer not to say 1

Total exceeds 100% due to multiple responses

Subsample: Those who provided federal election information to their members during the 40th general election OR in previous federal elections (n=93)

Participating associations report using a number of methods to disseminate information. Methods cited by more than half of associations include: group meetings or information sessions (59%), displays at the association's offices (59%) and to individual members in person (51%).

How information is usually provided to members
40th general election
%
At group meetings/information sessions 59
On display at the office 59
In person on a case-by-case basis 51
By e-mail (e-bulletins, newsgroups, LISTSERV, etc.) 47
Through the organization's web site 38
By phone 17
By mail 10
Print media/publications 9
Candidate forums/debates 7
Flyers/handouts/bulletins 4
Radio commercials 3
Events/rallies 3
Online 2
By fax 1
Other 4

Total exceeds 100% due to multiple responses

Subsample: Those who provided federal election information to their members during the 40th general election OR in previous federal elections (n=92)
Excludes respondents who say "Not sure/Prefer not to say" at Q8

Emails (47%) and web sites (38%) are also commonly used. Although telephone is generally cited infrequently (17%), it is used by one-third (33%) of ethnocultural associations.

SPECIFIC INFORMATION REQUESTS FROM ASSOCIATION MEMBERSHIP

Just over half of participating associations received specific member requests for election- related information. Most requests were about how, when and where to vote and/or register. Most associations responded by directing members to the Elections Canada web site.

Participating associations were asked if they received specific requests for information about the electoral process from their members during the 40th general election. More than half of these associations (55%) report that they received such requests.

Received specific request from members
40th general election

Received specific request from members

The most common types of information requested include how, when and where to vote (86%) and register (75%), voter identification requirements (69%), who can vote (63%) and information regarding candidates (62%) and parties (55%).

Types of information requests received from members
40th general election
%
How, when and where to vote 86
How and where to register 75
The voter identification required at the poll in order to vote 69
Who can vote 63
Information about candidates 62
Information about political parties 55
Religious issues 3
Advance polls 3
Other 9

Total exceeds 100% due to multiple responses

Subsample: Those who received requests for information about the electoral process from their members during the 40th general election (n=65)

Participating associations responded to information requests in a number of ways, with the most common being providing the information directly to the member (89%). Directing the member to the Elections Canada web site (54%) and contacting Elections Canada and then relaying the information to the member (40%) were also commonly cited. Directing members to the local Elections Canada office or instructing them to call the Elections Canada 1-800 number were also cited, but somewhat less frequently.

How member information requests were handled
40th general election
%
Provided the information directly 89
Instructed them to visit Elections Canada's website (www.elections.ca) 54
Contacted Elections Canada on their behalf and then relayed the relevant information to them 40
Directed them to the local Elections Canada office (returning officer) in the electoral district 32
Instructed them to call Elections Canada in Ottawa at 1-800-INFO-VOTE 26
Provided translations/interpreters 3
Other 11

Total exceeds 100% due to multiple responses

Subsample: Those who received requests for information about the electoral process from their members during the 40th general election (n=65)

When asked the best way of providing election information to members, a variety of methods were mentioned. The only one mentioned by more than 15 percent is email, which was mentioned by three in ten (29%). This is followed by information sessions or meetings (15%) and one-on-one discussions (14%).

Best way of providing election information to members
40th general election
%
E-mail 29
Information sessions/meetings 15
One-on-one discussion in person 14
Printed material/journals/newsletters 12
Bulletin board/posters 11
Brochures/pamphlets/flyers 10
Audio/visual/media resources 8
Internet/website 8
Mail 7
Information booth 5
Other 14
DK/NA 15

Total exceeds 100% due to multiple responses

All associations (n=119)

Elections Canada information products and services

INFORMATION MATERIALS RECEIVED

Two-thirds of participating associations report having received information materials from Elections Canada during the 40th general election. Guides and instructions on how to vote are most commonly reported, followed by posters.

Participating associations were asked about the information materials they received from Elections Canada during the 40th general election. Two-thirds of these associations (66%) report having received information materials from Elections Canada. Special needs associations are particularly likely to report having received materials (89%).

Received information materials from Elections Canada
40th general election

Received information materials from Elections Canada

Participating associations report having received a number of different types of materials. Most commonly reported are guides and instructions on how to vote (27%), posters (20%), brochures, flyers or pamphlets (15%) and general election-related information (15%).

Information materials received from Elections Canada
40th general election
%
Guides/instruction on how/allowed to vote 27
Posters 20
Brochures/flyers/pamphlets 15
General information about the elections 15
Guides/instruction in various languages 11
CD ROM/DVD/media 6
E-mail 6
Other 11
DK/NA 14

Total exceeds 100% due to multiple responses

Subsample: Those who received information materials from Elections Canada during the 40th general elections (n=79)

ORDERING MATERIALS FROM ELECTIONS CANADA

Overall, one-third of responding associations ordered materials from Elections Canada during the 40th general election, with most ordering voting guides or materials in languages other than English or French. The vast majority found the ordering process fast and easy.

Associations participating in the survey were asked if they specifically ordered information materials from Elections Canada during the 40th general election, as well as their opinions regarding the ordering process.

About one-third (32%) of these associations report having ordered materials from Elections Canada during the past federal election. Special needs organizations (73%) are more likely than other types of organizations to have ordered materials.

Organization ordered information materials from Elections Canada
40th general election

Organization ordered information materials from Elections Canada

The most common types of materials ordered were general voting guides (26%) and materials in languages other than English and French (24%). Alternate format materials were also mentioned by 21 percent of the special needs associations.

Information ordered from Elections Canada
40th general election
%
General voting guide/process 26
Guides/information in various languages 24
Brochures/booklets/pamphlets 16
Flyers/posters 11
Alternate format materials 11
Candidate information 3
Everything that was available 3
DK/NA 24

Total exceeds 100% due to multiple responses

Subsample: Those who ordered information materials from Elections Canada during the 40th general elections (n=38)

Participating associations generally give very high marks to Elections Canada in terms of the ease and speed of ordering information materials. Two-thirds (68%) strongly agree that ordering was easy and an even higher proportion (74%) strongly agree that materials were received in a reasonable time frame.

Perceptions of ordering process
40th general election

Perceptions of ordering process

Subsample: Those who ordered information materials from Elections Canada during the 40th general elections (n=38)

PERCEIVED EFFECTIVENESS OF INFORMATION PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

Participating associations generally believe that all products/services assessed are effective in informing voters. The www.elections.ca site, voter information guide in heritage languages, and the web page for youth and students (including the FAQs) receive highest marks.

Participating associations were shown a number of different Elections Canada information products and services and were asked how effective they believed each would be in informing their members about federal elections. For online resources, links were provided so that the respondent could view the relevant web page if he or she so desired. Links to PDF files were also provided for documentary resources such as pamphlets.

Resources of general interest. Among resources aimed at all associations, the Voter Information Guide and the Elections Canada website were generally seen as more effective in terms of informing members than the 1-800 telephone line and the "I'm Mailing my Vote" pamphlet. Some three-quarters of associations (77%) believe that the Elections Canada web site is an effective way to inform members, with 42 percent rating it as very effective. Student/youth associations are particularly likely to rate the web site highly in this regard (90% believe it is effective). Seven in ten (71%) believe the Voter Information Guide is effective, with 45 percent rating it as very effective.

Perceived effectiveness of products/services - general
40th general election Very/somewhat effective

Perceived effectiveness of products/services - general

Fewer than six in ten believe the 1-800 telephone line or the "I'm Mailing my Vote" pamphlet are effective at informing membership. For the latter two products, a higher proportion are unable to rate effectiveness – this accounts in part for the lower proportion rating them as effective.

Resources for ethnocultural associations. Participating ethnocultural associations are most positive about the Voter Information Guide available in several heritage languages. Almost eight in ten (78%) believe this is an effective way to inform members about federal elections, with 58 percent rating it as very effective.

About seven in ten (69%) believe that voter identification at the polls available in various heritage languages is effective in this regard, while just over six in ten (62%) believe Elections Canada's e-bulletins for electors from ethnocultural groups are effective. In both cases, about half think these products are very effective.

Perceived effectiveness of products/services - ethnocultural
40th general election Very/somewhat effective

Perceived effectiveness of products/services - ethnocultural

Subsample: Ethnocultural associations (n=55)

Resources for persons with special needs. Participating associations for persons with special needs are most positive regarding the web page for voters with special needs as an effective means to inform members about federal elections. About two-thirds (65%) believe this product is effective, with 39 percent rating it as very effective. A similar proportion believe that Elections Canada's e-bulletins for electors with special needs are effective (65%), although a lower proportion rate this product very effective (27%).

Only half (50%) of special-needs associations believe the 1-800 TTY number is an effective means to inform their members about federal elections, with about one-quarter (23%) rating this product as very effective. However, more than one-quarter (27%) are not sure.

Perceived effectiveness of products/services – special needs
40th general election Very/somewhat effective

Perceived effectiveness of products/services – special needs

Subsample: Associations for persons with special needs (n=26)

Resources for student/youth groups. Student/youth associations who participated in the study are relatively positive about all products assessed. Enthusiasm is highest for Frequently Asked Questions for Students and Young Electors and the web page for youth and students. In both cases, eight in ten believe the product is an effective way to inform members about federal elections and 45 percent believe it to be very effective.

While still seen as effective, Elections Canada's e-bulletins for Youth and Students are not rated quite as highly as the other products for this group. About seven in ten (71%) see the e-bulletins as effective, and about one-third (32%) rate them as very effective.

Perceived effectiveness of products/services – student/youth
40th general election Very/somewhat effective

Perceived effectiveness of products/services – student/youth

Subsample: Youth groups/student associations (n=38)

ELECTIONS CANADA E-BULLETINS

Just over one-third of associations report having received e-bulletins from Elections Canada during the 40th general election, with most of these associations distributing the e-bulletins to their members. The few that did not do so generally felt it was not their responsibility.

All associations were asked if they received Elections Canada e-bulletins during the 40th general election, and if they distributed these e-bulletins to their members.

Just over one-third of associations (36%) report having received e-bulletins from Elections Canada. Most of those (63%) who received e-bulletins distributed them to their members.

Elections Canada e-bulletins
40th general election

Elections Canada e-bulletins

Subsample: Those who recall receiving Elections Canada e-bulletins during the 40th general election (n=43)

Among the small number of associations who received e-bulletins but did not distribute them to their members (n=12), most felt it was not their role to do so (n=8).

Community Relations Officer Program

CONTACT FROM COMMUNUTY RELATIONS OFFICER

One-quarter of participating youth/student and ethnocultural associations report contact from an Elections Canada Community Relations Officer, with most reporting the officer provided information materials or a kiosk.

Participating student/youth and ethnocultural associations were asked questions about Elections Canada's Community Relations Officer Program. Respondents were informed that Elections Canada had expanded this program during the 40th h general elections and were given a list of the Community Relations Officer's responsibilities (including liaising with organizations, providing election materials and organizing kiosks and information sessions.

About one-quarter (24%) of student/youth and ethnocultural associations report having been contacted by a Community Relations Officer. Student/youth associations (34%) are somewhat more likely to report contact than are ethnocultural associations (16%).

Contacted by community relations officer
40th general election

Contacted by community relations officer

Subsample: Youth groups/student associations and ethno-cultural associations (n=93)

Most associations who were contacted by a Community Relations Officer report that the officer provided information materials (73%) or an information kiosk (59%).

Services provided by community relations officer
40th general election
%
Information materials 73
An information kiosk 59
Information sessions 18
Translation services 18
Other 9
DK/NA 5

Total exceeds 100% due to multiple responses

Subsample: Those contacted by a community relations officer from Elections Canada during the 40th general elections (n=22)

SATISFACTION WITH COMMUNITY RELATIONS OFFICER

Three-quarters of participating student/youth and ethnocultural associations receiving services from an Elections Canada Community Relations Officer were satisfied with the service. Four in ten were very satisfied. Few could give suggestions to improve the program.

Participating student/youth and ethnocultural associations who received the services of an Elections Canada Community Relations Officer were asked how satisfied they were with the services provided.

Overall, about three-quarters (77%) of those who were contacted by a Community Relations Officer reported satisfaction with the services received, with four in ten (41%) very satisfied.

Satisfaction with services of community relations officer
40th general election

Satisfaction with services of community relations officer

Subsample: Those contacted by a community relations officer from Elections Canada during the 40th general elections (n=22)

PERCEIVED EFFECTIVENESS OF SELECTED COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES

Participating student/youth and ethnocultural associations are generally positive about all communications services assessed, but are most positive about distributing information materials as an effective way to inform members about federal elections.

Student/youth and ethnocultural associations that participated in the survey were given a list of four communication services and asked how effective they thought each would be in informing their members about federal elections. Those who believed an activity would be ineffective were asked the reason for this assessment.

These associations rate distributing information materials as most effective in informing members. Virtually all (89%) believe this activity would be at least somewhat effective, with 55 percent believing it would be very effective. The number believing this activity would be ineffective (n=5) is too small to reliably analyze.

Perceived effectiveness of information activities
Very/somewhat effective 40th general election
40th general election

Perceived effectiveness of information activities

Subsample: Youth groups/student associations and ethno-cultural associations (n=93)

Just over seven in ten (72%) believe that setting up information kiosks would be effective in informing their membership, with 40 percent rating this activity as very effective. Those who believe this activity would not be effective (n=17) are most likely to cite the belief that people don't pay attention to kiosks as the reason (n=5).

Two-thirds (66%) of participating associations believe that holding information sessions would be an effective way to inform members about federal elections, with three in ten (29%) rating this activity as very effective. Most of the small group who rate this activity as ineffective (n=23) cite the belief that people are too busy to attend such sessions as the reason (n=13).

About six in ten (61%) of these associations rate providing translation services as an effective way to inform their membership about federal elections, with one-third (34%) rating it as very effective. Among those who believe this activity would be ineffective (n=22), most give a lack of need for translation services as the reason (n=17).

Voting problems encountered by association members

AWARENESS OF VOTING PROBLEMS

Just under four in ten participating associations indicate that their members reported problems while voting in the 40th general election. The most commonly-reported problems include lack of proper identification, accessibility issues and not being on the voter's list.

Participating associations were asked if their members had reported encountering any problems while voting during the 40th general election. Just under four in ten (38%) indicate having heard of any such problems.

Aware of member problems in voting
40th general election

Aware of member problems in voting

All associations (n=119)

The most common problems reported relate to not having proper identification (33%), accessibility issues (31%) and not being on the voter's list (29%). One in four (24%) reported confusion as to where to vote.

Voting problems encountered by members
40th general election
%
Did not have proper identification needed 33
Accessibility/ability to reach/use polls 31
Did not receive voter's card/not on voter's list 29
Confusion about where to vote 24
Language barriers/translation issues 18
Poorly staffed polls/misinformed staff 7
Poor understanding of the process/how to vote 7
Lack of interest in voting 4
Long wait times 4
Other 4

Total exceeds 100% due to multiple responses

Subsample: Those who are aware of any problems encountered by their members while voting during the 40th general elections (n=45)

EXTENT OF IMPEDIMENT CREATED BY NEW IDENTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

Fewer than half of participating associations report the new voter identification requirements created an impediment to voting for their members. The main impediments related to the lack of proper identification or lack of awareness of the identification requirements.

All participating associations (whether or not they had heard reports of voting problems from members) were asked if they felt the new voter identification requirements created an impediment to voting among their members.

The majority of these associations report that the new ID requirement did not create an impediment to voting for their members (23%) or are unable to say (32%), likely because they did not hear specific reports of problems from their membership. Just under half (45%) believe that the new ID requirements created an impediment for at least some of their members, with about one in five (19%) believing that the new ID requirements created an impediment for many of their members.

Members affected by new ID requirements
40th general election

Members affected by new ID requirements

All associations (n=119)

The major impediments reported relate to the fact that members who have recently moved do not yet have proper ID (37%, but 61% among student/youth associations), the IDs did not meet the requirements (24%) or the new requirements were not well understood (24%).

Suggestions to aid Elections Canada's efforts in informing association members

No single suggestion was made by a large proportion of participating associations and about four in ten were unable to provide any suggestions. Providing more materials directed at students was the most common suggestion.

At the end of the survey, all respondents were asked if they had any final suggestions "that might help Elections Canada to assist your organization in informing its members about federal elections."

Almost four in ten (38%) associations were unable to give any suggestions. Among the remaining associations, a variety of suggestions were made, but only one was mentioned by more than one in ten associations: more materials directed towards students (13%, but 37% of student/youth associations).

Suggestions from associations
40th general election
%
Material directed towards students 13
Provide material (various) 9
Provide voting booths on campus 8
Provide translation services 7
Provide disability support (blind, deaf etc.) 5
Better communication 5
Set up more kiosks 3
Provide plain language support 3
Simplify the voting process 2
Motivate more voters 2
Nothing 2
Other 14
DK/NA 36

Total exceeds 100% due to multiple responses

All associations (n=119)