Form EAC FABP S 0001 EAC FABP S 0001 EAC Free Absentee Ballot Postage Questionnaire

U.S. Election Assistance Commission
Free or Reduced Return Postage Study
Survey Questionnaire

Hello, my name is _________________. We are conducting an important study for the U.S.
Election Assistance Commission. This survey is for research purposes only, we are not selling
anything and we are not associated with or being paid by any political party or candidate. Your
participation is voluntary and will only take a few minutes of your time. All your answers will be
strictly confidential. Am I speaking with someone 18 or older?

S1

1
2

To make sure our survey includes many different kinds of people, I need to ask a few
questions about who lives in your household. How many adults age 18 or older live in
your household?
One–GO TO S2
Two or more–GO TO S3

ASK IF ONLY ONE ADULT AGE 18+ IN HH (S1=1)
S2
May I please speak to that person?
1
Continue with current respondent–GO TO Q1
2
New respondent being brought to phone–GO TO INTRO2
3
New respondent not available–SCHEDULE CALL BACK
9
Refused–TERMINATE

ASK IF MORE THAN ONE ADULT AGE 18+ IN HH (S1=2)
S3
May I please speak with the adult (18+) in your household who has most recently had a
birthday. Are you this person?
1
Yes–GO TO S4
2
No–ASK TO SPEAK TO THAT PERSON AND REINTRODUCE THE SURVEY

S4
1
2

Because we are talking today about issues related to voting in the U.S., we only need to
speak with people who are U.S. citizens. Are you currently a U.S. citizen or not?
Yes–GO TO Q1
No–ASK FOR ANOTHER ADULT IN HH

OMB Control No. pending

Expiration Date: tbd

ASK ALL
Q1
How much information do you feel you have about politics and current events in the
United States today? Do you have a great deal of information, a fair amount, not too
much or no information at all?
1
Great deal
2
Fair amount
3
Not too much
4
None at all
8
Don’t know [DO NOT READ]
9
Refused [DO NOT READ]

ASK ALL
Q2
And how much information do you feel you have about the way elections are organized
in your community such as the rules about who can vote and when, where to go to vote,
etc? Do you have a great deal of information, a fair amount, not too much or no
information at all?
1
Great deal
2
Fair amount
3
Not too much
4
None at all
8
Don’t know [DO NOT READ]
9
Refused [DO NOT READ]

ASK ALL
Q3
Some states are using an election system in which residents are allowed to CHOOSE if
they want to cast their vote through the MAIL in the weeks leading up the election OR
vote IN PERSON ON Election Day. Do you strongly favor, somewhat favor, somewhat
oppose or strongly oppose allowing people to CHOOSE if they vote by mail before
Election Day or vote in a booth ON Election Day?
1
Strongly favor
2
Somewhat favor
3
Somewhat oppose
4
Strongly oppose
8
Don’t know [DO NOT READ]
9
Refused [DO NOT READ]

ASK IF SOMEWHAT OR STRONGLY OPPOSE (Q3=3 or 4)
Q4
There are many reasons why people may have reservations about voting by mail before
election-day instead of in a booth on election-day. Can you tell me the main reason why
you oppose people voting by mail before election-day? [ACCEPT UP TO THREE
RESPONSES BUT DO NOT PROBE FOR MORE THAN ONE]
1
Gave response [Record verbatim]
8
Don’t know [DO NOT READ]
9
Refused [DO NOT READ]

OMB Control No. pending

Expiration Date: tbd

ASK ALL
Q5
These days, many people are so busy they can't find time to register to vote,
or move around so often they don't get a chance to re-register... Are you CURRENTLY
registered to vote or haven't you been able to register so far?
[IF RESPONDENT ANSWERS ‘1’ YES, ASK,
Are you registered to vote at your CURRENT address or are you registered to vote at
some other previous address]
1
Yes, registered at current address
2
Yes, registered at other/previous address/not sure of which address
3
No, not registered
8
Don’t know [DO NOT READ]
9
Refused [DO NOT READ]

ASK IF REGISTERED TO VOTE (Q5=1 or 2)
Q6
Every state has different regulations for voting by absentee ballot. If there were to be an
election next week, do you know whether or not you would be eligible to vote by
absentee ballot in your state?
1
Yes, eligible
2
No, not eligible
8
Don’t know [DO NOT READ]
9
Refused [DO NOT READ]

ASK IF CURRENTLY REGISTERED TO VOTE AT PREVIOUS ADDRESS (Q5 = 2)
Q7
Can you please tell me which state you are currently registered to vote in?
1
Gave response [Record verbatim—OK to use official two letter abbreviations]
8
Don’t know [DO NOT READ]
9
Refused [DO NOT READ]

ASK IF NOT REGISTERED (Q5 = 3)
Q8
Have you previously been registered to vote, or have you never been registered?
1
Previously registered
2
Never registered
8
Don’t know [DO NOT READ]
9
Refused [DO NOT READ]

ASK IF NOT REGISTERED (Q5 = 3)
Q9
What would you say is the MAIN reason you are currently not registered to vote?
[OPEN END; ACCEPT UP TO THREE RESPONSES BUT DO NOT PROBE FOR
MORE THAN ONE]
1
Gave response [Record verbatim]
8
Don’t know [DO NOT READ]
9
Refused [DO NOT READ]

OMB Control No. pending

Expiration Date: tbd

ASK IF CURRENTLY REGISTERED OR PREVIOUSLY REGISTERED (Q5 = 1 OR Q5=2
OR Q8 = 1)
Q10
Talking to lots of people, we understand that for various reasons not everyone votes in
every election. Did you vote in the 2006 Election this past November for either a Senator
or Congressperson?
1
Yes
2
No
3
Too young to vote/Not registered to vote at the time/Not eligible [DO NOT READ]
8
Don’t know [DO NOT READ]
9
Refused [DO NOT READ]

ASK IF VOTED IN 2006 ELECTION (Q10 = 1)
Q11
In the 2006 congressional election, do you remember if you voted BEFORE Election
Day, either at an early voting site or with an absentee ballot, OR did you vote in-person at
your polling place ON Election Day?
1
Before Election Day - Early Voting Site/Absentee
2
In person at polling place on Election Day
3
Dropped off absentee ballot at the polls on Election Day [DO NOT READ]
8
Don’t know [DO NOT READ]
9
Refused [DO NOT READ]

ASK IF VOTED IN 2006 BEFORE ELECTION DAY (Q11 = 1)
Q12
And did you vote BEFORE Election Day in person at an early voting site or did you mail
in your absentee ballot?
1
In person at an early voting site
2
Mailed in absentee ballot
3
Dropped off absentee ballot at the polls on Election Day [DO NOT READ]
8
Don’t know [DO NOT READ]
9
Refused [DO NOT READ]

ASK IF VOTED BY MAIL (Q12=2)
Q13
Did being able to vote by MAIL before Election Day make it a lot easier, somewhat
easier, somewhat harder, a lot harder, or did it make no difference in your ability to vote?
1
A lot easier
2
Somewhat easier
3
Somewhat harder
4
A lot harder
5
No difference in ability to vote
8
Don’t know [DO NOT READ]
9
Refused [DO NOT READ]

OMB Control No. pending

Expiration Date: tbd

ASK IF CURRENTLY REGISTERED OR PREVIOUSLY REGISTERED (Q5 = 1 OR Q5=2
OR Q8 = 1)
Q14
And were you able to vote in the 2004 Presidential election between George Bush and
John Kerry?
1
Yes
2
No
3
Not 18 at the time/Not eligible [DO NOT READ]
8
Don’t know [DO NOT READ]
9
Refused [DO NOT READ]

ASK IF VOTED IN 2004 ELECTION (Q14 = 1)
Q15
In the 2004 Presidential election, do you remember if you voted BEFORE Election Day,
either at an early voting site, or with an absentee ballot, OR did you vote in-person at
your polling place ON Election Day?
1
Before Election Day - Early Voting Site/Absentee
2
In person at polling place on Election Day
3
Dropped off absentee ballot at the polls on Election Day [DO NOT READ]
8
Don’t know [DO NOT READ]
9
Refused [DO NOT READ]

ASK IF VOTED IN 2004 BEFORE ELECTION DAY (Q15 = 1)
Q16
And did you vote BEFORE Election Day in person at an early voting site or did you mail
in an absentee ballot?
1
In person at an early voting site
2
Mailed in absentee ballot [DO NOT READ]
3
Dropped off absentee ballot at the polls on Election Day [DO NOT READ]
8
Don’t know [DO NOT READ]
9
Refused [DO NOT READ]

ASK IF VOTED BY MAIL (Q16=2)
Q17
Did being able to vote by MAIL before Election Day make it a lot easier, somewhat
easier, somewhat harder, a lot harder, or did it make no difference in your ability to vote?
1
A lot easier
2
Somewhat easier
3
Somewhat harder
4
A lot harder
5
No difference in ability to vote
8
Don’t know [DO NOT READ]
9
Refused [DO NOT READ]

OMB Control No. pending

Expiration Date: tbd

ASK ALL
Q18
Suppose that in addition to being able to vote IN-PERSON at the polls on Election Day,
you also had the option of choosing to vote by MAIL before Election Day WITHOUT
having to pay ANY postage. Would having these two options to chose from make it more
likely you would vote, less likely you would vote, or would having the option to vote by
mail WITHOUT paying ANY postage make no difference in your ability to vote?
1
More likely
2
Less likely
3
No difference in ability to vote
6
Already voting by mail without paying postage [DO NOT READ]
8
Don’t know [DO NOT READ]
9
Refused [DO NOT READ]

ASK IF MAIL WOULD MAKE MORE LIKELY TO VOTE (Q18=1)
Q19
And is this a lot more likely or somewhat more likely?
1
A lot more likely
2
Somewhat more likely
8
Don’t know [DO NOT READ]
9
Refused [DO NOT READ]

ASK IF MAIL WOULD MAKE LESS LIKELY TO VOTE (Q18=2)
Q20
And is this a lot less likely or somewhat less likely?
1
A lot less likely
2
Somewhat less likely
8
Don’t know [DO NOT READ]
9
Refused [DO NOT READ]

ASK IF MAIL WOULD MAKE MORE LIKELY TO VOTE (Q18=1)
Q21
Please tell me the main reason you think you would be more likely to vote in elections if
you had the option to vote by mail before Election Day without having to pay postage.
[ACCEPT UP TO THREE RESPONSES BUT DO NOT PROBE FOR MORE THAN
ONE]
1
Gave response [Record verbatim]
8
Don’t know [DO NOT READ]
9
Refused [DO NOT READ]

OMB Control No. pending

Expiration Date: tbd

ASK IF MAIL WOULD MAKE MORE LIKELY TO VOTE (Q18=1)
Q22
Suppose you were able to mail in your ballot before Election Day BUT you were required
to PAY postage. Which of these do you think is most likely: 1) You would pay the
postage and still vote by mail, 2) vote in person on Election Day instead, or 3) there is a
chance you wouldn’t be able to vote.
[IF ASKED, the amount of postage depends on the size and weight of the ballot in your
area—usually between 39 and 87 cents.]
1
Vote by mail anyway
2
Vote in person
3
Chance won’t be able to vote
4
Would drop off absentee ballot at the polls on Election Day [DO NOT READ]
8
Don’t know [DO NOT READ]
9
Refused [DO NOT READ]

ASK IF WOULD VOTE BY MAIL EVEN IF HAD TO PAYPOSTAGE (Q22 = 1)
Q23
Please tell me the main reason why you would still prefer to vote by mail even if you had
to pay postage. [ACCEPT UP TO THREE RESPONSES BUT DO NOT PROBE FOR MORE
THAN ONE]
1
Gave response [Record verbatim]
8
Don’t know [DO NOT READ]
9
Refused [DO NOT READ]

I would like to ask you a few final questions for statistical purposes. Please be assured that all of
your responses will be kept entirely anonymous and absolutely confidential.
D1
1
2

Record gender
Male
Female

ASK ALL
D2
What is your age?
Range 18-96
97
97 or older
98
Don’t know
99
Refused

ASK ALL
D3
What is the highest level of education you received?
1
High School or less
2
Some College
3
College Graduate
4
Post graduate
8
Don’t know [DO NOT READ]
9
Refused [DO NOT READ]

OMB Control No. pending

Expiration Date: tbd

ASK ALL
D4
What is your martial status: are you now married, widowed, divorced separated, or never
married?
1
Now married
2
Widowed
3
Divorced
4
Separated
5
Never married
8
Don’t know [DO NOT READ]
9
Refused [DO NOT READ]

ASK ALL
D5
Are you or someone in your household an active-duty member of the armed forces?
1
Yes
2
No
8
Don’t know [DO NOT READ]
9
Refused [DO NOT READ]

D5a

Which of the following best describes your current employment status—employed, selfemployed, retired and not working, are you not in the labor force, or are you unemployed
and looking for work?
1
Employed
2
Self-employed
3
Retired and not working
4
Not in the labor force [INTERVIEWER, this includes homemakers]
6
Unemployed and looking for work
8
Don’t know [DO NOT READ]
9
Refused [DO NOT READ]

ASK IF EMPLOYED (D5a=1)
D5b
Is this part-time or full-time?
1
Part-time
2
Full-time
8
Don’t know [DO NOT READ]
9
Refused [DO NOT READ]

ASK IF EMPLOYED OR SELF-EMPLOYED (D5a=1 or 2)
D5c
What is your MAIN occupation?
1
Gave response
8
Don’t know [DO NOT READ]
9
Refused [DO NOT READ]

OMB Control No. pending

Expiration Date: tbd

ASK IF EMPLOYED OR SELF-EMPLOYED (D5a=1 or 2)
D5d
And would you characterize your occupation as…?
1
Executive/ high-level management
2
Professional/ middle manager
3
Technical/ administrative/ clerical
4
Service worker/ protective services
5
Skilled labor
6
Unskilled labor
8
Don’t know [DO NOT READ]
9
Refused [DO NOT READ]

ASK ALL
D6a
Are you yourself of Latino or Hispanic origin or descent, such as Mexican, Puerto Rican,
Cuban, or some other Latin American background?
1
Yes
2
No
8
Don’t know [DO NOT READ]
9
Refused [DO NOT READ]

ASK ALL
D6b
What is your race? (If Latino ask:) Are you white Latino, black Latino or some other
race? (Else:) Are you white, African American or black, Asian or some other race?
1
White/White Latino
2
African American/Black/Black Latino
3
Asian
4
Other
8
Don’t know
9
Refused

D7
Including your self, how many people are there living in your household?
Range 1 – 30
98
Don’t know
99
Refused

D8

Last year, that is in 2006, what was your total household income from all sources before
taxes? Was it under or over $40,000?
1
Under $40,000
2
Over $40,000
8
Don’t know [DO NOT READ]
9
Refused [DO NOT READ]

OMB Control No. pending

Expiration Date: tbd

ASK IF INCOME LESS THAN $40,000 (D8=1)
D9a
Now just stop me when I get to the right category. Was your income ...
Read responses
1
Less than $10,000
2
$10,000 to under $15,000
3
$15,000 to under $20,000
4
$20,000 to under $25,000
5
$25,000 to under $30,000
6
$30,000 to under $35,000 or
7
$35,000 to under $40,000
8
Don’t know [DO NOT READ]
9
Refused [DO NOT READ]

ASK IF INCOME MORE THAN $40,000 (D8=2)
D9b
Now just stop me when I get to the right category. Was your income ...
Read responses
1
$40,000 to under $50,000
2
$50,000 to under $75,000
3
$75,000 to under $100,000
4
$100,000 to under $150,000 or
5
$150,000 or more
8
Don’t know [DO NOT READ]
9
Refused [DO NOT READ]

ASK ALL
D10
Are you limited in any way in any activities because of physical, mental, or emotional
problems?
1
Yes
2
No
8
Don’t know [DO NOT READ]
9
Refused [DO NOT READ]

ASK IF HAS DISABILITY (D10= 1).
D11
Does this condition require you to use special equipment, such as a cane, a wheelchair, a
special bed, or a special telephone?
1
Yes
2
No
8
Don’t know [DO NOT READ]
9
Refused [DO NOT READ]

Thank you. That is all of the questions I have for you.
*This information collection is required for the EAC to meet its statutory requirements
under the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) of 2002 (42 U.S.C. 15301). Respondent’s
obligation to reply to this information collection is voluntary; respondents include the 50
States, and the District of Columbia. This information will be made publicly available on
the EAC website at www.eac.gov. According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995,

OMB Control No. pending

Expiration Date: tbd

an agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a
collection of information unless it displays a valid OMB control number. The valid OMB
control number for this information collection is OMB Control No. pending (expires: to
be determined). The time required to complete this information collection is estimated to
average 1.25 hours per response. Comments regarding this burden estimate should be
sent to the Program Manager – 2007 Study of the Feasibility and Advisability of
Establishing a Program of Free Return Postage for Absentee Ballots, U.S. Election
Assistance Commission, 1225 New York Ave, NW, Suite 1100, Washington, DC 20005.

OMB Control No. pending

Expiration Date: tbd