Among those willing to take part in the nationwide vote on the constitutional amendments the majority thinks that there is no risk to catch COVID-19 at the polling stations, or the risk is really low. Three-quarters say that safe voting environment will be ensured at polling stations.

MOSCOW, May 04, 2020. Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the survey data concerning the participation of Russians in the nationwide vote on the constitutional amendments and sanitary measures at the polling stations.

President Vladimir Putin signed a decree on holding the nationwide vote on constitutional amendments on July 1, 2020. More than half of those who are going to take part in the vote (62%) approve of the date; 15% perceive the date for the vote negatively; every fifth pays no attention to the date (21%).

After the date was announced more than half of Russians (67%) have said they are willing to take part in the vote (+2 p.p. since the announcement (65%) as of May 29). Of them, 48% say they will definitely show up at the polling station; 19% are likely to come to vote; 14% refuse to vote. The level of the declared turnout tends to always be higher than the actual turnout as not everyone willing to take part in the vote shows up at the polling station on the date for the vote.

More than half of Russians (61%) saying they are willing to take part in the vote are likely to vote in favor of the amendments (+4 p.p. since the announcement (57%) as of May 26). One in five respondents willing to take part say they are likely to vote against the amendments (21%).

Most of those who are going to participate in the vote consider that the risk of getting infected with COVID-19 at the polling station is low or nonexistent provided that the safety and sanitary measures are ensured (83%). Fifteen percent of Russians think there are some risks.

Three-quarters of those willing to take part in the vote believe that the polling stations will ensure safety voting environment (75%); this stance is opposed by every fifth Russian (19%).

According to Russians who are willing to take part in the vote, the following safety measures should be ensured at the polling stations: voting station staff should be provided with personal protective equipment (face masks, gloves and disinfectants) — 87%; voters should be provided with PPE — 76%, the two-meter social distancing should be kept — 73%.

Russian VCIOM-Sputnik survey was conducted on June 2, 2020, commissioned by the Expert Institute for Social Research. Results are based on telephone interviews with 1,600 Russians aged 18 and older. A stratified dual-frame random sample based on a complete list of Russian landline and mobile phone number was used. The data were weighted according to selection probability and social and demographic characteristics. The margin of error at a 95% confidence level does not exceed 2.5%. In addition to sampling error, minor changes in question wording and different circumstances arising during the fieldwork can introduce bias into the survey.

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