Study title

Experiences of Postal Voting in the 2019 Finnish Elections 2020-2021

Dataset ID Number

FSD3573

Persistent identifier

urn:nbn:fi:fsd:T-FSD3573

Data Type

Qualitative

Authors

• Peltoniemi, Johanna (University of Helsinki. Faculty of Social Sciences)
• Weide, Marjukka (University of Helsinki. Faculty of Social Sciences)
• Nemcok, Miroslav (University of Helsinki. Faculty of Social Sciences)
• Wass, Hanna (University of Helsinki. Faculty of Social Sciences)

Abstract

The dataset consists of interviews with and self-administered written texts by Finnish expatriates on their attitudes towards and experiences with postal voting in Finnish elections. The data were collected as part of the Facilitating Electoral Participation from Abroad (FACE) research project, and the project was funded by the Finnish Cultural Foundation.

The writing guidelines and interview questions charted the factors that motivated expatriates to vote, the obstacles and challenges expatriates associated with voting, and ways in which voting could be made easier. Postal voting was introduced as a new voting method during the 2019 Finnish parliamentary elections. The study examined how Finnish expatriates viewed postal voting and what their relationship to postal voting was. The questions investigated participants' experiences of the functionality of postal voting, possible risks associated with postal voting, and how the opportunity to use postal voting to vote had affected voter turnout. The impact that voting method had on the experience of voting was also examined.

Background variables included the date of the interview/self-administered written text submission, the type of data (interview vs. self-administered written text), whether the participant had voted or attempted to vote using postal voting, and whether the participant had voted in advance at an advance polling station during the 2019 Finnish parliamentary elections. The data were organised into an easy to use HTML version at FSD. In addition to this qualitative dataset, a quantitative dataset (FSD3575 Political Participation of Finnish Expatriates 2019) that was produced as part of the FACE research project has also been archived at FSD.

The dataset is only available in Finnish.

Keywords

European parliament elections; elections; expatriates; living abroad; national identity; parliamentary elections; political participation; satisfaction; social influence; suffrage; voting; voting behaviour

Topic Classification

• Social sciences (Fields of Science Classification)
• Elections (CESSDA Topic Classification)
• Political behaviour and attitudes (CESSDA Topic Classification)

Series

Individual datasets

Distributor

Finnish Social Science Data Archive

Access

The dataset is (B) available for research, teaching and study.

Data Collector

• Weide, Marjukka (Helsingin yliopisto, valtiotieteellinen tiedekunta)

Time Period Covered

2019

Collection Dates

2020-05 – 2021-04

Nation

Finland

Geographical Coverage

Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Australia and Oceania, North America, South America

Analysis/Observation Unit Type

Individual

Universe

Finnish expatriates who had the right to vote in the 2019 parliamentary elections

Time Method

Cross-section

Sampling Procedure

Non-probability: Availability

The invitation to participate in the study was sent to individuals who had taken part in a previous survey and who had given their contact information for this purpose. Additionally, the invitation was shared via the Finland Society's channels (e.g. the Finland Society's newsletter and the Finland Bridge magazine), and on social media in Facebook groups for Finnish expatriates.

Collection Mode

Telephone interview

Web-based interview

Self-administered writings and/or diaries: E-mail

E-mail interview

Research Instrument

Interview scheme and/or themes

Data collection guidelines: Self-administered writings guide

Data Files

32 interviews and 26 self-administered written texts in ODT format. Additionally, the data were organised into an easy to use HTML version and a CSV version.

Data File Language

The data files of this dataset are available in the following languages: English, Finnish and Swedish.

Qualitative data are available in their original language only and are not translated.

Data Version

1.0

Related Datasets

FSD3575 Political Participation of Finnish Expatriates 2019

Completeness of Data and Restrictions

To prevent identification of participants, the names of individuals, exact place names, and other indirect identifiers that could be used to determine where the participants reside have been removed from the data. Dates and other details have also been changed to prevent identification when necessary. Changes made by the researcher are indicated by [brackets]. Additionally, the names of countries and information related to the participants' personal histories and countries of residence were removed or coarsened at FSD. Changes made at FSD are marked with [[double brackets]].

Citation Requirement

The data and its creators shall be cited in all publications and presentations for which the data have been used. The bibliographic citation may be in the form suggested by the archive or in the form required by the publication.

Bibliographical Citation

Peltoniemi, Johanna (University of Helsinki) & Weide, Marjukka (University of Helsinki) & Nemcok, Miroslav (University of Helsinki) & Wass, Hanna (University of Helsinki): Experiences of Postal Voting in the 2019 Finnish Elections 2020-2021 [dataset]. Version 1.0 (2021-10-04). Finnish Social Science Data Archive [distributor]. https://urn.fi/urn:nbn:fi:fsd:T-FSD3573

Deposit Requirement

Notify FSD of all publications where you have used the data by sending the citation information to user-services.fsd@tuni.fi.

Disclaimer

The original data creators and the archive bear no responsibility for any results or interpretations arising from the reuse of the data.

Related Publications

Wass, H., Peltoniemi, J., Weide, M., & Nemcok, M. (2021). Signed, Sealed and Delivered with Trust: Non-Resident Citizens' Experiences of Newly Adopted Postal Voting. Frontiers in Political Science - Elections and Representation, 3(83).

Weide, M. (2021). Practicing Ballot Secrecy: Postal Voting and the Witness Requirement at the 2019 Finnish Elections. Frontiers in Political Science - Elections and Representation, 3(65).

Peltoniemi, J., Wass, H. & Weide, M. (2020). Kotini on vaalikoppini. Joustavien äänestysmuotojen merkitys yhdenvertaiselle poliittiselle osallistumiselle. Teoksessa Borg, S., Kestilä-Kekkonen, E. & Wass, H. (toim.) Politiikan ilmastonmuutos. Vaalitutkimus 2019. Helsinki: Oikeusministeriö, 334-363.