Form EAC-RS02 EAC Survey of UOCAVA Voters

Review Draft 2006 EAC UOCAVA Voter Survey
Dear Voter,
We are conducting a survey of overseas and uniformed services absentee voters and are inviting
you to tell us about your experiences with the election process. The United States Congress has
asked for this study because of the reports that uniformed services and overseas voters often
have problems when trying to vote. We are working with the United States Election Assistance
Commission to make sure that your experiences and suggestions are being collected and
forwarded to Congress.
Your responses are confidential so please take 8-10 minutes to fill out this survey, and tell us
about your voting experience in November of 2006. This is a great opportunity to help improve
the system and your participation matters: we can not do a good job without your help!
Thank you so much!
Start Survey!

Review Draft 2006 EAC UOCAVA Voter Survey

ALL SURVEY TAKERS ANSWER THIS QUESTION
"Yes" answers take the Main Line of questions
"No" answers take the Did Not Vote Line of questions

1
Were you an overseas citizen or a member of the Uniformed
Services, spouse or dependent on November 7, 2006?
Overseas Citizen
Uniformed Services member
Spouse or dependent of Uniformed Services member

2
Did you vote on November 7, 2006?

Yes, I voted
No, I did not try to vote
No, I tried but was unable to complete the process

Survey Page 1

Review Draft 2006 EAC UOCAVA Voter Survey

DID NOT VOTE LINE

Please note: The Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) is the federal form
for both voter registration and absentee ballot request for overseas citizens,
active duty military within and outside of the U.S., and their spouses and
dependents.

3
Why didn't you vote? (check all that apply)

My ballot did not arrive
My ballot was late
Forgot to send my ballot
Registration/ballot request FPCA form was denied
Missed the registration deadline
I thought I was registered, but wasn't

My address changed
Could not meet my state's notarization requirements
Could not meet my state's witness requirements
I did not know what I needed to do to register and vote
Didn't think my vote would matter
The process was too complicated
Lacked candidate information
No interest
Other, please specify

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Review Draft 2006 EAC UOCAVA Voter Survey

DID NOT VOTE LINE

4
If you had been in the U.S. on November 7, 2006, Election Day,
how likely is it that you would have voted?
Very likely

Somewhat likely Neither likely or unlikely Somewhat unlikely Very unlikely

5
In which U.S. state or territory would you have voted had you been
in the U.S.?

6
On November 7th, in which country were you living or serving?

7
What filing status did you use, or would you have used, on the
registration/ballot request FPCA form?
U.S. citizen living outside the U.S. temporarily
U.S. citizen living outside the U.S. indefinitely
Uniformed Services, spouse or dependent

8
Describe your voting history: (check all that apply)

This would have been my first time voting in my life
This would have been my first time voting as an overseas citizen
This would have been my first time voting as an absentee military
service member
This would have been my first time voting as an absentee military
spouse
This would have been my first time voting as an absentee military
dependent
Voted before as an overseas citizen

Voted before as an absentee military services member
Voted before as a military absentee spouse
Voted before as a military absentee dependent
Voted before locally in the US
Voted before as a domestic absentee in the US

9
Did you try to register to vote and/or request an absentee ballot for
the November 7, 2006 election?
Yes, I tried to request my ballot with the FPCA form
Yes, I used a state absentee ballot request form
Yes, but I am not sure which form I used
No, I didn't even try
No, I thought I was registered
No, I had confirmed that I was registered

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Review Draft 2006 EAC UOCAVA Voter Survey

DID NOT VOTE LINE

10
Who did you go to for your FPCA form to register to vote and/or
request an absentee ballot? (check all that apply)

Looked in the Internet
Federal Voting Assistance Program
Voting Assistance Officer (VAO)
Consulate/Embassy
Local election office
IVAS service from DOD
Political party
Nonpartisan voter organization
Voter registration event
Employer
Friend
I did not request or look for an FPCA form
Other, please specify

11
How did you get your registration/ballot request FPCA form?
Downloaded the blank FPCA form from a website
Filled-out the FPCA form online and printed it
Used the online IVAS system

In person, I received a hardcopy paper form
Received it in the mail
It was FAXed to me
Received it as an email attachment
I did not receive the form
Other, please specify

12
When, in 2006, did you send in your registration/ballot request
FPCA form?
From January through June 2006
July
August
First half of September
Second half of September
First half of October
Second half of October
November
I was already registered from a previous year
I never sent it in

13

How did you SEND IN your registration/ballot request FPCA form?

FAX
FAX + original FPCA by mail
Email
Email + original FPCA by mail
Used IVAS service for DOD
Regular Mail
Certified or Express Mail / Courier
Military Postal Service (APO/FPO)
Sent through Consulate/Embassy mail pouch
In person visit to election office
Other, please specify

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Review Draft 2006 EAC UOCAVA Voter Survey

MAIN LINE OF QUESTIONS

Please note: The Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) is the federal form
for both voter registration and absentee ballot request for overseas citizens,
active duty military within and outside of the U.S., and their spouses and

dependents.

14
How satisfied were you with the process of obtaining and casting a
ballot in 2006?
Satisfied

Somewhat satisfied

Neutral

Somewhat dissatisfied

Dissatisfied

15
What filing status did you use on the FPCA form? (Please check
the same status as you indicated on your voter registration/ballot
request FPCA form)
U.S. citizen living outside the U.S. temporarily
U.S. citizen living outside the U.S. indefinitely
Uniformed Services, spouse or dependent

16
In which U.S. state or territory did you vote by absentee ballot on
November 7, 2006?

17
In which country were you residing or serving on November 7,
2006?

18
Describe your voting history: (check all that apply)

This was my first time voting in my life
This was my first time voting as an overseas citizen
This was my first time voting as an absentee military service
member
This was my first time voting as an absentee military spouse
This was my first time voting as an absentee military dependent
Voted before as an overseas absentee citizen
Voted before as an absentee military services member
Voted before as a military absentee spouse
Voted before as a military absentee dependent
Voted before locally in the US
Voted before as a domestic absentee in the US

19
Who did you go to for your FPCA form to register to vote and/or
request an absentee ballot? (check all that apply)

Looked in the Internet
Federal Voting Assistance Program
Voting Assistance Officer (VAO)
Consulate/Embassy
Local election office
IVAS service from DOD

Political party
Nonpartisan voter organization
Voter registration event
Employer
Friend
I did not request or look for an FPCA form
Other, please specify

20
How did you get your registration/ballot request FPCA form?
Downloaded the blank FPCA form from a website
Filled-out the FPCA form online and printed it
Used the online IVAS system
In person, I received a hardcopy paper form
Received it in the mail
It was FAXed to me
Received it as an email attachment
I did not receive the form
Other, please specify

Survey Page 5

Review Draft 2006 EAC UOCAVA Voter Survey

MAIN LINE

21
When, in 2006, did you send in your registration/ballot request
FPCA form?
From January through June 2006
July
August
First half of September
Second half of September
First half of October
Second half of October
November
I was already registered from a previous year
I never sent it in

22
How did you send in your registration/ballot request FPCA form?

FAX

FAX + original FPCA by mail
Email
Email + original FPCA by mail
Used IVAS service for DOD
Regular Mail
Certified or Express Mail / Courier
Military Postal Service (APO/FPO)
Sent through Consulate/Embassy mail pouch
In person visit to election office
Other, please specify

Survey Page 6

Review Draft 2006 EAC UOCAVA Voter Survey

MAIN LINE

23
When did you receive your blank ballot for the November 7, 2006
election?
Early to mid September
Mid to end of September

Early to mid October
One to two weeks before the election
Less than a week before the election
Election Day
After Election Day

24
How was your blank ballot delivered?
FAX
Email
Downloaded through DOD IVAS service
Regular Mail
Certified or Express Mail/courier
Military Postal Service (APO/FPO)
Other, please specify

25
Had you ever received a blank ballot in this way before?

26

Please rate this method of receiving your blank ballot:
Easy

Somewhat easy

Neutral

Somewhat difficult

Difficult

27
How would you describe the way you received your blank ballot?
(check all that apply)

Practical
Fast
Easy
Slow
Difficult
Other, please describe:

28
Did you feel it was a secure way to receive your blank ballot?
Very secure

Secure

Neutral

29
Was the ballot easy to complete?

Insecure

Very insecure

Easy

Somewhat easy

Neither

Somewhat difficult

Difficult

Don't know

30
What method did you use to SEND IN your VOTED ballot?
Email
Email + original ballot in mail
FAX machine
FAX machine + original ballot in mail
Internet FAX transmission
Internet FAX transmission + original ballot in mail
Regular Mail
Certified or Express Mail/courier
Military Postal Service (APO/FPO)
Sent through Consulate/Embassy mail pouch
Other, please specify

31
How would you rate the ease-of-use of this way of sending in your
voted ballot?

Easy

Somewhat easy

Neutral

Somewhat
difficult

Difficult

32
When did you send in your voted ballot for the November 7, 2006
election?
First half of September
Second half of September
First half of October
Second half of October
First week of November
Election Day
After Election Day
I never sent it

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Review Draft 2006 EAC UOCAVA Voter Survey

ETS USER SPECIFIC QUESTIONS

PLEASE NOTE:
The term "electronic transmission method" includes Email, FAX, Internet
and online systems.

33
How would you describe the electronic transmission method you
used for returning your voted ballot? (check all that apply)

Practical
User-friendly
Logical
Well-defined
Fast
Easy
Slow
Difficult
Hard to understand
Other, please describe:

34
Did you ever use this electronic transmission method to send a
voted ballot in any other election?

35

satisfied

dissatisfied

36
Please rate the ease-of-use of the electronic transmission
method you used to send your voted ballot?

Easy

Somewhat Easy

Neutral

Somewhat
difficult

Difficult

37
What made this electronic transmission method to return your
voted ballot easy for you to use? (check all that apply)

Clear instructions
Easy to understand
Fast
Handy
Good format - easy to see
Low cost or no cost
Could use it from my location
No travel required
Other, please specify

38
Did you have any problems with the electronic transmission
method of sending your voted ballot? (check all that apply)

Too many steps
Didn't understand the instructions
Wasn't sure if I needed a witness
I didn't understand what to do
No, I did not have any problems
Other, please specify

39
Why did you decide to send your ballot in this way? (check all
that apply)

It was easy
It saved me time
I didn't need to travel
I thought it was required
It was offered
To get my ballot back faster
It was suggested that I use this method
I received an email telling me about it
I thought it was safer than regular mail
My blank ballot arrived late

Other, please specify

40
How would you describe your feelings about vote privacy?

Concerned

Somewhat
concerned

Neutral

Somewhat
Unconcerned Don't know
unconcerned

41
Were you asked to waive (give up) the right to privacy of your
vote?

Additional Comment

42
How would you describe your feelings about waiving your right to
a private vote?

Concerned

Somewhat
concerned

Neutral

Somewhat
Unconcerned Don't know
unconcerned

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Review Draft 2006 EAC UOCAVA Voter Survey
43
Would you send your voted ballot in the same way again in the
future?

MAIN LINE - ETS AND NON ETS

44
How did you find out about the voting method you used? (check
all that apply)

Internet Search
Got an Email
Local Election Official
Consulate/Embassy
Voting Assistance Officer
Federal Voter Assistance Program
IVAS Website from DOD
Newspaper
Newsletter
State Election Office web site

Local Election Office web site
Political party
Voter organization
Can't remember
Other, please specify

45
How did you feel about the security of your actual VOTE?

Concerned

Somewhat
concerned

Neutral

Somewhat
Unconcerned Don't know
unconcerned

46
What security concerns did you have in regards to your vote?
(check all that apply)

Not sure my voted ballot actually arrived
Concerned that my voted ballot could get lost
Concerned that someone saw how I voted
Concerned someone could change my vote
None, no concerns
Other, please specify

47
Did you confirm that your ballot arrived?
Yes, checked through state or county online tracking tool
Yes, contacted my election office
No, I did not confirm my ballot arrival
Other, please specify

48
How much time would you estimate the entire process of voting
took you from the time you started till the time you sent your
voted ballot? Include registration/ballot request, paperwork
processing, phone calls or visits to official offices, as applicable
to you.
Less than 2 weeks
2 - 4 weeks
5 - 6 weeks
7 - 8 weeks
More than 8 weeks

49
What was the TOTAL cost to you to return your registration AND
ballot materials? (in $USD)
None
Under $5

$ 5 - $10
$10 - $25
$25 - $50
$50 - $100+
Other, please specify

Survey Page 9

Review Draft 2006 EAC UOCAVA Voter Survey

ALL SURVEY TAKERS RECEIVE THESE FINAL QUESTIONS

50
Which FAX services do you use: (check all that apply)

FAX machine always available
Pay-per-use FAX services
Internet FAX program
No FAX services
Other, please specify

51
How often do you access the Internet?
Daily
2-3 times a week
Once a week
Sometimes
Almost Never
Never

52
Where do you access the Internet? (check all that apply)

Home
Work
Internet Cafe
Library
Other, please specify

53
What kind of Internet access location do you use: (check all that
apply)

Public
Private

Business
Other, please specify

54
In a future election, would you be comfortable sending in a voted
ballot electronically by email, FAX or voting online?
Yes
No
Not sure
Other, please specify

55
What concerns would you have about sending in a voted ballot
electronically by email, FAX or voting online? (check all that
apply)

I do not have any concerns about voting online
I do not have any concerns about voting by FAX
I do not have any concerns about voting by email
Privacy concerns
Security concerns
I don't trust the Internet
I don't want to share personal information on the Internet
I'm concerned that my election official will see how I voted

I'm afraid that people could see how I voted
Other, please specify

Survey Page 10

Review Draft 2006 EAC UOCAVA Voter Survey

ALL SURVEY TAKERS

56
When did you last live in the US?
Less than 1 year ago
At least 1 year but less than 2 years ago
At least 2 years but less than 5 years ago
At least 5 year but less than 10 years ago
10 or more years ago
Does not apply - I am active duty within the US

57
How old were you on November 7, 2006?
18 to 24 years

25 to 34 years
35 to 44 years
45 to 54 years
55 to 64 years
65 to 74 years
75 years and older

58
What is the highest level of formal education you have
completed?
Less than high school graduate
High school graduate or GED
Trade school
College or associate’s degree
Bachelor’s degree
Advanced degree
Other, please specify

59
Did you need to go to the US Embassy or Consulate at any time
in the voting process?

60
How often do you go to the US Embassy or Consulate during an
average election year?
Never
Once
Twice
Three times or more
Other, please specify

61
How long would it take to travel to the closest US
Consulate/Embassy from where you live right now?
Less than 1 hour
2-3 hours
4 or more hours

62
Would a Consulate/Embassy visit require time off work?
Yes
No
Not applicable

63
Please indicate your gender:
Male
Female

64
Please provide other comments or suggestions that you may
have here:

Survey Page 11