Perceptions of Electoral Integrity Back on the Drawing Board

This book investigates German citizens' perceptions of electoral integrity, introducing a new survey-based measurement tool to better capture these attitudes. First, a general conceptualization of electoral integrity is developed using an integrative approach, then adapted to the context of German citizens. Afterwards, a multidimensional tool for public opinion research is designed and empirically tested, before being applied in three exemplary analyses. First, it is used to highlight different perceptions across sociodemographic and political groups. Second, it is used in a multivariate analysis exploring how individual-level factors shape attitudes across different dimensions, including the mediating role of personality traits. Third, the tool is used to examine current challenges, focusing on conspiracy beliefs and support for i-voting. Findings reveal that German citizens hold nuanced perceptions of electoral integrity, reflected in ten distinct dimensions. As determinants differ across dimensions, the study suggests that future research should address specific aspects of electoral integrity rather than relying on overall evaluations, which obscure diverse judgments and attitudinal patterns.

Autorentext

Paula Hanna Windecker is a research associate at the German Politics and Political Sociology Unit at the Institute of Political Science, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz. Her work focuses on perceptions of electoral integrity in democracies and autocracies, and online voting.

Klappentext

This book investigates German citizens’ perceptions of electoral integrity, introducing a new survey-based measurement tool to better capture these attitudes. First, a general conceptualization of electoral integrity is developed using an integrative approach, then adapted to the context of German citizens. Afterwards, a multidimensional tool for public opinion research is designed and empirically tested, before being applied in three exemplary analyses. First, it is used to highlight different perceptions across sociodemographic and political groups. Second, it is used in a multivariate analysis exploring how individual-level factors shape attitudes across different dimensions, including the mediating role of personality traits. Third, the tool is used to examine current challenges, focusing on conspiracy beliefs and support for i-voting. Findings reveal that German citizens hold nuanced perceptions of electoral integrity, reflected in ten distinct dimensions. As determinants differ across dimensions, the study suggests that future research should address specific aspects of electoral integrity rather than relying on overall evaluations, which obscure diverse judgments and attitudinal patterns.

About the Author

Paula Hanna Windecker is a research associate at the German Politics and Political Sociology Unit at the Institute of Political Science, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz. Her work focuses on perceptions of electoral integrity in democracies and autocracies, and online voting.

Inhalt

Introduction Democratic Elections under Pressure, why Citizens Matter.- Re-Conceptualizing Electoral Integrity What Democratic Elections Mean for Citizens.- Measuring Electoral Integrity from a Citizen's Perspective.- Descriptive Analysis Painting a More Nuanced Picture of Electoral Integrity in Germany.- Multivariate Analysis Determinants of Perceptions of Electoral Integrity in a Multidimensional Environment.- Challenges for Electoral Integrity Conspiracy Beliefs and Attitudes Toward IVoting in Germany.- Conclusion Putting the Picture together.