South African Voter participation survey (VPS) 2013 - All provinces

Description:
Topics covered in the questionnaire are: democracy and governance issues, municipal performance, Identity documents, voter registration, voting history, most recent voting experience, voting irregularities, general perceptions on voting, electronic voting, perceptions on voting in terms of special groups, media and information issues with regard to the profile of the electoral commission, voter education, interest in social/cultural/religious organisations, political participation, respondent characteristics, household characteristics, personal and household income.

Following the data curation process the resulting data set has 2912 cases and 562 variables.

Of the targeted population of 3500, 2912 responses (83.5%) was realized.
Abstract:
The overall objective of the 2013 Voter Participation Survey (VPS) is to inform and guide the Electoral Commission (IEC) in its plans, policies and practices in undertaking the 2014 national elections. The specific objectives of the study are to evaluate the general State of Democracy in South Africa, to determine voting intention and behaviour and to examine the electoral and political involvement ahead of the 2014 national elections. A specific focus of the project is also to determine participation patterns of the youth and other vulnerable groups.

In 2014, the Electoral Commission commissioned the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) to undertake this Voter Participation Survey. Similar surveys have been undertaken prior to the 1999, 2000, 2004, 2006, 2009 and 2011 elections. These types of Voter Participation Surveys are usually commissioned approximately 5 months prior to the actual elections, to allow the IEC enough time to implement recommendations that might emanate from the research. One of the core aims of the study is to understand what drives participation and how participation rates can be improved, especially given the increasing low voter turnout. Of particular concern is also, whether vulnerable groups, such as the elderly and persons with disabilities, are provided for during the elections.

Specific objectives of the study are to:

Evaluate voting behaviour in South Africa and determine public perceptions on their participation in voting for the forthcoming Municipal elections (2014);

Determine the public's views on the work of the Electoral Commission as an Elections Management Body;

Test the opinion of people on the performance of government, including the role of various institutions;

Assess people's level of interest and participation in national elections and political activities in general;

Investigate the patterns of participation of women, youth, persons with disabilities, including other demographic groups in elections and political activities; and

Measure the level of public trust in the IEC. The primary objective of Electoral Commission Voter Participation Survey methodologically study. This study issues related to people's participation in the elections. In meeting this objective, the HSRC conducts this study commissioned by the IEC to obtain reliable scientific information.

### 数据集描述
本次调查问卷覆盖的议题包括：民主与治理议题、市政绩效、身份证件、选民登记、投票历史、近期投票经历、投票违规行为、对投票的总体认知、电子投票、针对特殊群体的投票认知、与选举委员会（Electoral Commission）概况相关的媒体与信息议题、选民教育、对社会/文化/宗教组织的关注度、政治参与、受访者特征、家庭特征、个人与家庭收入。

经数据整理流程后，最终数据集共包含2912个样本与562个变量。本次调研的目标总体为3500人，最终回收有效问卷2912份，有效回收率达83.5%。

### 摘要
2013年选民参与调查（Voter Participation Survey, VPS）的总体目标是为选举委员会（Electoral Commission, IEC）开展2014年全国大选的计划、政策与实操提供决策参考与指导。本研究的具体目标包括：评估南非民主整体状况、明确选民投票意向与投票行为，以及检视2014年全国大选前的选举与政治参与情况。本项目的另一核心聚焦点为明确青年群体与其他弱势群体的参与模式。

2014年，选举委员会委托人文科学研究理事会（Human Sciences Research Council, HSRC）开展本次选民参与调查。类似的调查曾在1999年、2000年、2004年、2006年、2009年及2011年大选前开展。此类选民参与调查通常会在正式选举前约5个月启动委托，以便选举委员会有充足时间落实研究可能提出的相关建议。

本研究的核心目标之一是厘清影响选民参与的核心因素，以及如何提升选民参与率——尤其是在选民投票率持续走低的背景下。此外，研究还特别关注老年群体、残障人士等弱势群体在选举期间的权益保障情况。

本研究的具体目标还包括：
1. 评估南非选民的投票行为，并明确公众对参与2014年市政选举投票的认知态度；
2. 了解公众对作为选举管理机构的选举委员会工作的评价；
3. 调研公众对政府施政绩效及各类机构履职情况的看法；
4. 评估公众对全国大选及一般性政治活动的关注度与参与程度；
5. 探究女性、青年、残障人士及其他人口群体在选举与政治活动中的参与模式；
6. 量化公众对选举委员会的信任程度。

本次选举委员会选民参与调查的核心方法论目标为围绕公众选举参与相关议题展开研究。为达成该目标，受选举委员会委托，人文科学研究理事会开展本次调研以获取可靠的科学信息。