Authors

• Finnish Research Infrastructure for Public Opinion (FIRIPO)
• Strandberg, Kim (Åbo Akademi University. Social Science Research Institute)
• Grönlund, Kimmo (Åbo Akademi University. Social Science Research Institute)

Keywords

COVID-19, democracy, elections, municipal elections, political attitudes, political participation, political parties, politicians, politics, voting, voting behaviour

Abstract

The study surveyed Finnish citizens' opinions and views on elections, voting, and COVID-19 measures. The data includes the first, third, and fourth rounds of four survey rounds. The data was collected as part of the Citizen Opinion Panel, which is part of The Finnish Research Infrastructure for Public Opinion (FIRIPO).

The first round of the survey examined respondents' societal participation over the past four years. This was followed by a question about respondents' opinions on postponing the 2021 municipal elections due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Then, respondents were asked about their voting behavior in the 2019 parliamentary elections. At the end of the first survey round, respondents' voting intentions for the 2021 municipal elections were assessed.

The third round of the survey examined respondents' voting behavior in the 2021 municipal elections. It inquired whether respondents voted in advance and which party's candidate they voted for.

The fourth round of the survey mapped out voting intentions for the actual voting day of the 2021 municipal elections. First, respondents were asked whether they intended to vote and which party's candidate they intended to vote for. Finally, the reasons why respondents might not vote in the elections were explored.

The background variables included are the respondent's age group, gender, educational level, native language, and region.