Potential of Voter Turnout among Young People in the Case of Application of E-Voting, Postal Voting, and Three-Day Voting

Abstract

This study is aimed at discovering possible reasons for young people’s refusal to participate in elections in Russia and studying the attitudes of young people toward increasing voter turnout via electronic voting, postal voting, and three-day voting. The authors conducted a sociological survey of young people aged 18 to 29, mostly from the Astrakhan region of the Russian Federation, relying on a non-institutional approach and rational choice. The research results showed that E-voting is more convenient for citizens with health problems, busy people, and those who do not have free time. Voting by mail can ensure that voting is accessible to all. The most important requirement for elections in the event of multi-day voting is legitimacy and recognition of the results by all political forces and society. Thus, voter turnout among young people might be increased via E-voting, postal voting, and three-day voting.