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Survey of Candidates of the 41st Federal General Election

Overall Perceptions of Elections Canada

This section explores general questions about the conduct of the 2011 federal general election.

Four in Five Satisfied with Overall Service Quality from Elections Canada

Four in five (81%) surveyed candidates expressed satisfaction with the overall quality of service they received from Elections Canada in the 2011 general election. Of those who were not satisfied, 12% were neutral and 7% were dissatisfied.

Satisfaction is virtually unchanged since the 2008 baseline survey when 79% of the candidates said they were satisfied with the service they received from Elections Canada.

Satisfaction with Overall Service Quality from Elections Canada

Text version of graph "Satisfaction with Overall Service Quality from Elections Canada".

Sociodemographic Differences

Compared to 81% overall, candidates from Quebec (87%), those under 30 years of age (88%), and men (83%) were more inclined to be satisfied with Elections Canada and the quality of service they received from the Agency.

Most Satisfied with Overall Administration of Election

Underscoring overall satisfaction, 72% of candidates were satisfied with the way the federal election was administered by Elections Canada, with one-third (32%) reporting that they were very satisfied. Most of the rest (19%) were neutral, while 8% were dissatisfied with the administration of the 2011 general election.

This represents a slight increase in satisfaction since 2008 (72% vs. 68% in 2008).

Satisfaction with Administration of Election

Text version of graph "Satisfaction with Administration of Election".

Sociodemographic Differences

Compared to the most experienced candidates, first-time candidates were more likely to be satisfied with the administration of the election (75% vs. 66%). As one would expect, the likelihood of being satisfied with the administration of the election was higher among candidates who were satisfied with the overall quality of service provided by Elections Canada (84% vs. 9% of those dissatisfied) and with the performance of the returning officer in their riding (83% vs. 20% of those dissatisfied).

Widespread Satisfaction with Returning Officer Performance

Candidates were more likely to be satisfied with the performance of their returning officer than with the overall administration of the election. Four in five (81%) expressed satisfaction with the way the returning officer ran the election in their riding, with half (52%) reporting that they were very satisfied. Conversely, 11% were neither satisfied nor dissatisfied, and 8% were dissatisfied.

Satisfaction is virtually unchanged since 2008 (81% in 2011 compared to 79% in 2008).

Satisfaction with Returning Officer Performance

Text version of graph "Satisfaction with Returning Officer Performance".

Sociodemographic Differences

Candidates from Atlantic Canada (91%) and those under 30 years of age (87%) were generally more inclined to be satisfied with the performance of the returning officer. The likelihood of being satisfied with the returning officer was higher among those who were satisfied with the overall quality of service provided by Elections Canada (89% vs. 38% of those who were dissatisfied) and those who were satisfied with the way the federal election was administered by Elections Canada (92% vs. 41% of those dissatisfied).

Strong and Widespread Satisfaction with Interactions with Returning Officer

Overall, 86% of candidates were satisfied with their interactions with the returning officer in their riding, with 63% saying they were very satisfied. Of those who were not satisfied, 8% were neutral and 5% were dissatisfied. Satisfaction has not changed since 2008, when 85% of candidates reported being satisfied with their interactions with the returning officer.

Satisfaction with Interactions with Returning Officer

Text version of graph "Satisfaction with Interactions with Returning Officer".

Sociodemographic Differences

The likelihood of being satisfied with their interactions with the returning officer increased as age decreased, from 85% of candidates 50 years of age and older to 94% of those under 30. In addition, it was higher among men (88%), as well as candidates who were satisfied with the performance of the returning officer (96%), the overall administration of the election (95%), and the quality of service received from Elections Canada (94%).