Select variable

[fsd_no] FSD study number

[fsd_vr] FSD edition number

[fsd_id] FSD case id

[q1] How interested are you in politics?

[q2_1] How interested were you in the campaigning of the parties conducted at the national level for the municipal elections?

[q2_2] How interested were you in the campaigning of the parties conducted in your own municipality for the municipal elections?

[q2_3] How interested were you in the campaigning of candidates conducted in your own municipality for the municipal elections?

[q3_1] How much did you follow election campaigning and other communications related to the municipal elections from the following sources: The biggest newspapers in the region and their websites

[q3_2] How much did you follow election campaigning and other communications related to the municipal elections from the following sources: Tabloid newspapers and their websites

[q3_3] How much did you follow election campaigning and other communications related to the municipal elections from the following sources: Newspapers distributed free of charge and their websites

[q3_4] How much did you follow election campaigning and other communications related to the municipal elections from the following sources: TV channels' national news and current affairs programmes

[q3_5] How much did you follow election campaigning and other communications related to the municipal elections from the following sourcese: TV channels' regional news and current affairs programmes

[q3_6] How much did you follow election campaigning and other communications related to the municipal elections from the following sources: Programmes broadcasted by national radio stations

[q3_7] How much did you follow election campaigning and other communications related to the municipal elections from the following sources: Programmes broadcasted by regional radio stations

[q3_8] How much did you follow election campaigning and other communications related to the municipal elections from the following sources: YLE's voting advice application

[q3_9] How much did you follow election campaigning and other communications related to the municipal elections from the following sources: Other voting advice applications

[q3_10] How much did you follow election campaigning and other communications related to the municipal elections from the following sources: Other online services and websites of television and radio channels

[q3_11] How much did you follow election campaigning and other communications related to the municipal elections from the following sources: Social media

[q3_12] How much did you follow election campaigning and other communications related to the municipal elections from the following sources: Party and candidate election campaign advertising in different media

[q3_13] How much did you follow election campaigning and other communications related to the municipal elections from the following sources: Campaign messaging by parties/candidates: leaflets, SMSs, emails and instant messages (e.g. WhatsApp)

[q4_1] How much did you use the following information sources on municipal elections and campaigns? Campaign events of parties and candidates

[q4_2] How much did you use the following information sources on municipal elections and campaigns? Meeting candidates face to face during the election campaign

[q4_3] How much did you use the following information sources on municipal elections and campaigns? Campaign websites of parties and candidates

[q4_4] How much did you use the following information sources on municipal elections and campaigns? Information received from relatives, friends and acquaintances

[q6_1] How important did you consider the following factors or campaign themes in the municipal elections? Employment and Finland's economic situation

[q6_2] How important did you consider the following factors or campaign themes in the municipal elections? Municipal services that are important to me

[q6_3] How important did you consider the following factors or campaign themes in the municipal elections? The regional government, health and social services reform ('Sote reform')

[q6_4] How important did you consider the following factors or campaign themes in the municipal elections? The regional reform (maakuntauudistus)

[q6_5] How important did you consider the following factors or campaign themes in the municipal elections? Policy objectives of parties in the election for my own municipality

[q6_6] How important did you consider the following factors or campaign themes in the municipal elections? Policy objectives of candidates in the election for my own municipality

[q7_1] The municipal elections concerned both national and local/regional issues. To what extent were you interested in these two perspectives? Local or regional issues

[q7_2] The municipal elections concerned national and local/regional issues. To what extent were you interested in these two perspectives? National issues

[q8] In your opinion, how much emphasis did the media give to these two perspectives?

[q9_1] To what extent do you agree or disagree: I have no say in what the Government and Parliament decide

[q9_2] To what extent do you agree or disagree: Views of the citizens are taken into account in political decision-making through political parties

[q9_3] To what extent do you agree or disagree: It is people's own business whether they want to use their right to vote or not

[q9_4] To what extent do you agree or disagree: Important national issues should more often be decided by a referendum

[q9_5] To what extent do you agree or disagree: I think voting is a civic duty

[q9_6] To what extent do you agree or disagree: Politicians do not care what ordinary people think

[q9_7] To what extent do you agree or disagree: Sometimes politics seems so complicated that I cannot quite understand what is going on

[q9_8] To what extent do you agree or disagree: Political parties are only interested in people's votes, not in their opinions

[q9_9] To what extent do you agree or disagree: It doesn't really matter which parties form the Government, policy decisions will be the same

[q10_1] To what extent do you agree or disagree: I think that I understand the important local political issues rather well

[q10_2] To what extent do you agree or disagree: Political decision-making power is concentrated in far too few hands in my home municipality

[q10_3] To what extent do you agree or disagree: I can impact issues in my own municipality by voting in municipal elections

[q10_4] To what extent do you agree or disagree: I have no say in what the municipal board and council decide

[q10_5] To what extent do you agree or disagree: There is at least one party in municipal politics that acts in my best interest

[q10_6] To what extent do you agree or disagree: Local democracy works well in my own municipality

[q10_7] To what extent do you agree or disagree: These days, municipal election results do not have much impact on the political decisions made in my municipality

[q10_8] To what extent do you agree or disagree: Usually, the local government councillors lose touch with the voters soon after they have been elected

[q10_9] To what extent do you agree or disagree: Generally speaking, one can trust the local politicians in my home municipality

[q10_10] To what extent do you agree or disagree: Municipal elections are not as important as parliamentary elections

[q11_1] How important is it for you to have an influence on the following municipal services? Child day care

[q11_2] How important is it for you to have an influence on the following municipal services? Education

[q11_3] How important is it for you to have an influence on the following municipal services? Public transport

[q11_4] How important is it for you to have an influence on the following municipal services? Environmental protection

[q11_5] How important is it for you to have an influence on the following municipal services? Land use planning

[q11_6] How important is it for you to have an influence on the following municipal services? Libraries

[q11_7] How important is it for you to have an influence on the following municipal services? Healthcare

[q11_8] How important is it for you to have an influence on the following municipal services? Elderly care

[q11_9] How important is it for you to have an influence on the following municipal services? Cultural services

[q11_10] How important is it for you to have an influence on the following municipal services? Housing services

[q11_11] How important is it for you to have an influence on the following municipal services? Social services

[q11_12] How important is it for you to have an influence on the following municipal services? Employment services

[q11_13] How important is it for you to have an influence on the following municipal services? Sports and outdoor recreation services

[q11_14] How important is it for you to have an influence on the following municipal services? Maintenance and lighting of streets and roads

[q11_15] How important is it for you to have an influence on the following municipal services? Supporting businesses

[q11_16] How important is it for you to have an influence on the following municipal services? Maintenance of green spaces and outdoor recreation areas

[q12] How satisfied or dissatisfied are you with the way democracy generally works in Finland?

[q13] How satisfied or dissatisfied are you with policies of the Government led by Prime Minister Juha Sipilä?

[q14] On a scale from 0 to 10, how close do you feel to the municipality in which you're entitled to vote?

[q15_1] To what extent do you agree or disagree: The Sote reform is essential for increasing equal access to healthcare services

[q15_2] To what extent do you agree or disagree: The Sote reform's freedom of choice principle will not improve my own access to healthcare services

[q15_3] To what extent do you agree or disagree: The coming regional reform will strengthen local democracy

[q15_4] To what extent do you agree or disagree: The regional reform does not benefit me in any way personally

[q16_1] Which of the following have you done during the previous four years (that is starting from April 2013) to influence issues in your own municipality? Contacted a civil servant in the municipality

[q16_2] Which of the following have you done during the previous four years (that is starting from April 2013) to influence issues in your own municipality? Participated through an association

[q16_3] Which of the following have you done during the previous four years (that is starting from April 2013) to influence issues in your own municipality? Signed a petition

[q16_4] Which of the following have you done during the previous four years (that is starting from April 2013) to influence issues in your own municipality? Contacted an elected official in the municipality

[q16_5] Which of the following have you done during the previous four years (that is starting from April 2013) to influence issues in your own municipality? Written a letter to the editor for a newspaper

[q16_6] Which of the following have you done during the previous four years (that is starting from April 2013) to influence issues in your own municipality? Written a complaint or a claim for correction

[q16_7] Which of the following have you done during the previous four years (that is starting from April 2013) to influence issues in your own municipality? Participated in party politics

[q16_8] Which of the following have you done during the previous four years (that is starting from April 2013) to influence issues in your own municipality? Signed a local resident's initiative

[q16_9] Which of the following have you done during the previous four years (that is starting from April 2013) to influence issues in your own municipality? Participated in a daycare's, school's etc. parent-teacher evening

[q16_10] Which of the following have you done during the previous four years (that is starting from April 2013) to influence issues in your own municipality? Participated in voluntary communal work

[q16_11] Which of the following have you done during the previous four years (that is starting from April 2013) to influence issues in your own municipality? Participated in communal neighbourhood/village activities

[q16_12] Which of the following have you done during the previous four years (that is starting from April 2013) to influence issues in your own municipality? Given money for a campaign pertaining to a local matter

[q16_13] Which of the following have you done during the previous four years (that is starting from April 2013) to influence issues in your own municipality? Responded to a customer/user satisfaction survey

[q16_14] Which of the following have you done during the previous four years (that is starting from April 2013) to influence issues in your own municipality? Given feedback on services

[q16_15] Which of the following have you done during the previous four years (that is starting from April 2013) to influence issues in your own municipality? Participated in a discussion event hosted by the municipality

[q16_16] Which of the following have you done during the previous four years (that is starting from April 2013) to influence issues in your own municipality? Participated in land use planning

[q16_17] Which of the following have you done during the previous four years (that is starting from April 2013) to influence issues in your own municipality? Influenced issues in the municipality through social media

[q16_18] Which of the following have you done during the previous four years (that is starting from April 2013) to influence issues in your own municipality? Donated money to a candidate's campaign for the 2017 municipal elections

[q16_19] Which of the following have you done during the previous four years (that is starting from April 2013) to influence issues in your own municipality? Run in the municipal elections as a candidate

[q16_20] Which of the following have you done during the previous four years (that is starting from April 2013) to influence issues in your own municipality? Participated in a candidate's support group for the 2017 municipal elections

[q17_1] If you wanted to impact an issue important to you in your municipality, how appropriate would you consider the following ways? Writing my opinion in a newspaper or a newspaper's web service

[q17_2] If you wanted to impact an issue important to you in your municipality, how appropriate would you consider the following ways? Expressing my opinion in social media

[q17_3] If you wanted to impact an issue important to you in your municipality, how appropriate would you consider the following ways? Expressing my opinion in meetings or other public situations involving politicians or civil servants

[q17_4] If you wanted to impact an issue important to you in your municipality, how appropriate would you consider the following ways? Contacting a decision-maker personally by phone, email or some other way

[q17_5] If you wanted to impact an issue important to you in your municipality, how appropriate would you consider the following ways? Sending your message or opinion to decision-makers via another person

[q17_6] If you wanted to impact an issue important to you in your municipality, how appropriate would you consider the following ways? Some other way

[q18] Do you usually think of yourself as close to any particular party?

[q19] (IF q18=1) If you think of yourself close to some particular party, how close do you consider this party?

[q20] (IF q18=1) If you think of yourself close to some particular party, which of the following parties do you feel the closest to?

[q21_1] (IF q18=1) If you think of yourself close to some particular party, how much have the following factors had an effect on that? The party's current leader

[q21_2] (IF q18=1) If you think of yourself close to some particular party, how much have the following factors had an effect on that? The party's MPs from my own electoral district

[q21_3] (IF q18=1) If you think of yourself close to some particular party, how much have the following factors had an effect on that? The party's representatives in my own municipality

[q21_4] (IF q18=1) If you think of yourself close to some particular party, how much have the following factors had an effect on that? The values and ideology that the party represents

[q21_5] (IF q18=1) If you think of yourself close to some particular party, how much have the following factors had an effect on that? The issues that the party promotes in politics

[q21_6] (IF q18=1) If you think of yourself close to some particular party, how much have the following factors had an effect on that? The issues that the party promotes in my own municipality

[q21_7] (IF q18=1) If you think of yourself close to some particular party, how much have the following factors had an effect on that? The party's ability to have an impact in my own municipality

[q21_8] (IF q18=1) If you think of yourself close to some particular party, how much have the following factors had an effect on that? At least one of my parents has supported the same party

[q21_9] (IF q18=1) If you think of yourself close to some particular party, how much have the following factors had an effect on that? My friends and acquaintances

[q21_10] (IF q18=1) If you think of yourself close to some particular party, how much have the following factors had an effect on that? Party promotes the interests of the occupational group that I belong to

[q22] Are you a member of a political party?

[q23a] What municipal positions of trust do you have? I currently have this position: Municipal executive board, council, committee, management board, joint municipal authority and/or municipally owned company (reclassified)

[q23b] What municipal positions of trust do you have? I have had this position but not anymore: Municipal executive board, council, committee, management board, joint municipal authority and/or municipally owned company (reclassified)

[q23c] What municipal positions of trust do you have? I have never had this position: Municipal executive board, council, committee, management board, joint municipal authority and/or municipally owned company (reclassified)

[q24] These days, many people do not vote in elections for one reason or another. Did you vote or not in these municipal elections?

[q25_1] (IF q24=1) To what extent did the following reasons affect your decision not to vote in these elections? It was difficult for me to find a suitable party

[q25_2] (IF q24=1) To what extent did the following reasons affect your decision not to vote in these elections? It was difficult for me to find a suitable candidate

[q25_3] (IF q24=1) To what extent did the following reasons affect your decision not to vote in these elections? Could not vote due to work or travel

[q25_4] (IF q24=1) To what extent did the following reasons affect your decision not to vote in these elections? Could not vote due to illness or disability/injury

[q25_5] (IF q24=1) To what extent did the following reasons affect your decision not to vote in these elections? I forgot to vote

[q25_6] (IF q24=1) To what extent did the following reasons affect your decision not to vote in these elections? I simply couldn't be bothered to vote

[q25_7] (IF q24=1) To what extent did the following reasons affect your decision not to vote in these elections? I didn't see how voting would benefit me in any way

[q25_8] (IF q24=1) To what extent did the following reasons affect your decision not to vote in these elections? I think one vote wouldn't have made a difference in the outcome of the election

[q25_9] (IF q24=1) To what extent did the following reasons affect your decision not to vote in these elections? I distrust politicians and politics in general

[q25_10] (IF q24=1) To what extent did the following reasons affect your decision not to vote in these elections? I wanted to protest against politics and politicians

[q25_11] (IF q24=1) To what extent did the following reasons affect your decision not to vote in these elections? I'm not interested in politics and voting is of no consequence to me

[q25_12] (IF q24=1) To what extent did the following reasons affect your decision not to vote in these elections? I didn't have enough information to support my voting decision

[q25_13] (IF q24=1) To what extent did the following reasons affect your decision not to vote in these elections? There were no meaningful differences between parties

[q25_14] (IF q24=1) To what extent did the following reasons affect your decision not to vote in these elections? The party I would have voted for in these elections had different views than myself on important issues

[q25_15] (IF q24=1) To what extent did the following reasons affect your decision not to vote in these elections? The party I support has too little influence in my own municipality

[q26] (IF q24=1) How self-evident was it for you not to vote?

[q27] (IF q24=2) Did you vote in advance or on the actual election day?

[q28] (IF q24=2) The candidate of which political party or group did you vote for in the 2017 municipal elections?

[q29_1] (IF q24=2) How much did the following influence your choice of party in these municipal elections? Performance of the party's representatives in election-related television programmes

[q29_2] (IF q24=2) How much did the following influence your choice of party in these municipal elections? The party looks after the interests of the occupational group I belong to

[q29_3] (IF q24=2) How much did the following influence your choice of party in these municipal elections? The party has a good leader

[q29_4] (IF q24=2) How much did the following influence your choice of party in these municipal elections? Values of the party

[q29_5] (IF q24=2) How much did the following influence your choice of party in these municipal elections? The party has good policy on many current issues at the national level

[q29_6] (IF q24=2) How much did the following influence your choice of party in these municipal elections? The party has competent people to conduct Finnish politics

[q29_7] (IF q24=2) How much did the following influence your choice of party in these municipal elections? Performance of the party during the previous parliamentary term

[q29_8] (IF q24=2) How much did the following influence your choice of party in these municipal elections? The party's successful election campaign

[q29_9] (IF q24=2) How much did the following influence your choice of party in these municipal elections? My family member(s) voted for the party

[q29_10] (IF q24=2) How much did the following influence your choice of party in these municipal elections? My friend(s) voted for the party

[q29_11] (IF q24=2) How much did the following influence your choice of party in these municipal elections? Recommendations provided by voting advice application(s)

[q29_12] (IF q24=2) How much did the following influence your choice of party in these municipal elections? The party's strong position in my own municipality

[q29_13] (IF q24=2) How much did the following influence your choice of party in these municipal elections? The party has good policy on many local issues that are important to me in the municipality

[q30_1] (IF q24=2) How much did the following influence your choice of candidate? The candidate's age

[q30_2] (IF q24=2) How much did the following influence your choice of candidate? The candidate's gender

[q30_3] (IF q24=2) How much did the following influence your choice of candidate? The candidate's educational background

[q30_4] (IF q24=2) How much did the following influence your choice of candidate? The candidate is from the same region as I am

[q30_5] (IF q24=2) How much did the following influence your choice of candidate? The candidate's prior experience in politics

[q30_6] (IF q24=2) How much did the following influence your choice of candidate? The candidate's reliability

[q30_7] (IF q24=2) How much did the following influence your choice of candidate? The candidate's ability to manage things

[q30_8] (IF q24=2) How much did the following influence your choice of candidate? The candidate's appearance and style

[q30_9] (IF q24=2) How much did the following influence your choice of candidate? The candidate's public speaking and presentation skills

[q30_10] (IF q24=2) How much did the following influence your choice of candidate? The candidate is a well-known public figure

[q30_11] (IF q24=2) How much did the following influence your choice of candidate? The candidate's views on different issues

[q30_12] (IF q24=2) How much did the following influence your choice of candidate? The candidate's party affiliation

[q30_13] (IF q24=2) How much did the following influence your choice of candidate? The candidate represents the immigrant population

[q30_14] (IF q24=2) How much did the following influence your choice of candidate? The candidate's election campaign and election advertising

[q30_15] (IF q24=2) How much did the following influence your choice of candidate? The candidate's chances of winning a seat in the election

[q30_16] (IF q24=2) How much did the following influence your choice of candidate? Openness/transparency of the candidate's campaign funding

[q30_17] (IF q24=2) How much did the following influence your choice of candidate? The candidate's responses in voting advice applications on the Internet

[q30_18] (IF q24=2) How much did the following influence your choice of candidate? Internet or social media presence of the candidate or his/her political party

[q30_19] (IF q24=2) How much did the following influence your choice of candidate? My family member(s) voted for the candidate

[q30_20] (IF q24=2) How much did the following influence your choice of candidate? My friend(s) voted for the candidate

[q31] (IF q24=2) For your voting choice, which was ultimately more important in the 2017 municipal elections, the party or the candidate?

[q32_1] (IF q24=2) How well do the following describe your own party and candidate choice in the municipal elections? The party I voted for was the only proper choice for me in my municipality

[q32_2] (IF q24=2) How well do the following describe your own party and candidate choice in the municipal elections? First I chose the party and only then the candidate

[q32_3] (IF q24=2) How well do the following describe your own party and candidate choice in the municipal elections? I would have voted for my candidate no matter what party he/she had represented

[q32_4] (IF q24=2) How well do the following describe your own party and candidate choice in the municipal elections? I would have voted for my candidate also if he/she had represented some other party acceptable for me

[q32_5] (IF q24=2) How well do the following describe your own party and candidate choice in the municipal elections? I could have voted for some other candidate in the party I voted for

[q32_6] (IF q24=2) How well do the following describe your own party and candidate choice in the municipal elections? My vote was based largely on my opinions regarding politics at the national level

[q32_7] (IF q24=2) How well do the following describe your own party and candidate choice in the municipal elections? I wanted to express my discontent with the Government or a party in the Government

[q32_8] (IF q24=2) How well do the following describe your own party and candidate choice in the municipal elections? I chose the party in the municipal elections largely because I trust its leader

[q32_9] (IF q24=2) How well do the following describe your own party and candidate choice in the municipal elections? The candidate I voted for was a local from my area ('one of the village's own boys/girls')

[q33] (IF q24=2) Did you vote for a candidate of the same gender as you in these elections?

[q34] (IF q24=2) How old was the candidate you voted for?

[q35] (IF q24=2) In what way were you familiar with the candidate you voted for?

[q36] (IF q24=2) When did you decide the party whose candidate you voted for?

[q37] (IF q24=2) When did you decide the candidate you voted for?

[q38] And did you vote in the previous 2012 municipal elections?

[q39] (IF q38=1) The candidate of which political party or group did you vote for in the 2012 municipal elections?

[q40] (IF q38=1) Did you vote for the same candidate in the 2012 and 2017 municipal elections?

[q42] Gender

[q43] Municipality of residence (categorised)

[q44] How many years have you lived in your current home municipality or a municipality that has been merged into it?

[q45] What is the highest level of education or degree you have completed?

[q46] Marital status

[q47] Which of the following best describes your current situation?

[q48] The occupational group you feel you mainly belong to?

[q49] If you are in paid employment, which sector do you work in?

[q50] Are you a member of any trade union or professional association (including entrepreneur associations) and if yes, how actively do you participate in its activities?

[q51] (IF q50=1-3) Which of the following federations of trade unions does your trade union or professional association belong to?

[q53] Which social class would you say you belong to?

[q54] On average, what is the total annual income of your household before tax (= gross income), including taxable social security benefits? Euros per annum (categorised)

[q55] How many people live in your household?

[q56] Number of children/young people aged 7-17 living in the household

[q57] Number of children aged under 7 living in the household

[q58] What is your mother tongue?

[q59] Have you been unemployed in the past 12 months?

[q60] How many months have you been unemployed in the past 12 months?

[q61] Type of your residential area

[q62] Do you study or go to work regularly in another municipality than the one in which you are entitled to vote? (You can choose multiple alternatives)

[bv1] Were you entitled to vote in the municipal elections that were just held?

[bv2] For the stratification of the study, I would first like to ask your age? (categorised)

[bv3] Mark the respondent's gender

[bv4] Stratum

[bv5] The respondent's region of residence (NUTS3)

[bv6] Type of municipality

[bv7] Responding to the survey takes approximately half an hour. You can choose to respond either via Internet or a mail-in questionnaire. Which would you prefer?

[bv8] These days, many people do not vote in elections for one reason or another. Did you vote or not in these municipal elections?

[bv9] The candidate of which political party or group did you vote for in the 2017 municipal elections?

[bv10] Data collection instrument

[paino1] Weight