Survey of Election Officers Following the 42nd Federal General Election
5. Preparation for The Election
This section presents findings related to the level of preparedness of election officers. This focuses on an evaluation of the training session, the number of hours that were spent training at home, and the use of training resources.
Level of Preparedness
The overall level of preparedness of election officers has increased from eighty-nine percent (TOP2: 89%) in 2011 to ninety-six percent (TOP2: 96%) in 2015. By region, the level of preparedness shows limited variance, with Ontario having reported the highest level of preparedness and the Territories and Alberta having reported the lowest level of preparedness.
Chart 7: Level of preparedness, by region
Text Description of "Chart 7 : Level of preparedness, by region"
*Caution should be used when interpreting results due to small sample.
Much like 2011, in 2015 information officers were significantly more likely to feel prepared than other positions (TOP2: 98%, compared with 93% in 2011). In addition, information officers were slightly more likely to feel prepared compared with the overall population (TOP2: 96%). When looking at the type of polling locations, officers who worked at a mobile poll were significantly more likely to feel "somewhat well prepared" (46%) compared with other positions. Further, officers who worked both advance and ordinary polls were significantly more likely to feel "very well prepared" (74%) compared with the other poll types and the overall population as well.
Q44: Generally speaking, how well prepared would you say you were to undertake your tasks during the last federal election? | Type of Poll | Staffing Position | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Adv.
(n=232) |
Ord. (n=2997) | Adv. + ord. (n=224) | Mobile (n=49)* |
DRO
(n=1261) |
IO
(n=421) |
CPS (n=245) | RegO (n=315) | PC (n=1261) | Overall (n=3503) | |
% | ||||||||||
TOP2 | 92 | 96 | 96 | 96 | 96 | 98 | 95 | 94 | 95 | 96 |
BTM2 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 |
Very well prepared | 67+ | 62 | 74+ | 49- | 66 | 67+ | 66 | 63 | 57- | 63 |
Somewhat well prepared | 26- | 34 | 22- | 46+ | 30 | 32 | 29 | 32 | 38 | 33 |
Not very well prepared | 5 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
Not at all prepared | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
DK/Refused | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
* Caution should be used when interpreting results due to small sample.
Evaluation of the Training Session
Four-fifths (TOP2: 84%) of election officers were very or fairly satisfied with the training session, which is similar to 2011 (TOP2: 83%) and 2008 (TOP2: 86%). Satisfaction in Manitoba and British Columbia experienced the greatest decrease from 2011 to 2015, at nine (9%) and ten points (10%) respectively. Satisfaction in the Territories increased twenty-one percentage points from 2011 (TOP2: 55%) to 2015 (TOP2: 76%).
Information officers were significantly more likely to be satisfied, with eighty-eight percent (TOP2: 88%) indicating they were very or fairly satisfied, while central poll supervisors were significantly less likely to indicate being very or fairly satisfied (TOP2: 75%). Those who worked at ordinary polls were significantly more likely to report being very or fairly satisfied (TOP2: 85%).
Chart 8: Satisfaction with training session, by regionFootnote 10
Text Description of "Chart 8 : Satisfaction with training session, by region"
* TOP2 (Very satisfied + fairly satisfied)
Of those who indicated they were not very or not at all satisfied with the training (n=537), four in ten (41%) indicated a wish for better or more training to improve the training they received. Other suggestions include more time for training, emphasis on details, provision of more information, ensuring that training staff is appropriately trained, and provision of more hands-on training.
Q46: What do you think should be done to improve the training you received? | Overall (n=537) |
---|---|
% | |
Better / more training Footnote 11 | 41 |
Needed more time / it was rushed Footnote 12 | 23 |
Need more information / Answer questions | 20 |
Staff / trainers weren't trained well / weren't knowledgeable | 19 |
Dislike the videos / More hands-on or practical training | 17 |
Central poll supervisors (54%) and officers who worked at advance polls (50%) and both advance and ordinary polls (49%) were more likely to indicate better or more training is required to improve the training they received. Similar proportions of poll clerks (30%) and those who worked at the mobile (33%) and advance (30%) polls were more likely to indicate a desire for more time for training since it felt rushed compared with the overall population of election officers.
Q46: What do you think should be done to improve the training you received? | Type of Poll | Staffing Position | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Adv.
(n=50)* |
Ord. (n=430) | Adv. + ord. (n=44)* | Mobile (n=13)* |
DRO
(n=216) |
IO
(n=41)* |
CPS (n=58) | RegO (n=43)* | PC (n=180) | Overall (n=537) | |
% | ||||||||||
Better / more training | 50 | 40 | 49 | 26 | 40 | 34- | 54+ | 47 | 39 | 41 |
Needed more time / it was rushed | 30 | 23 | 11 | 33 | 24 | 16- | 7- | 18- | 30+ | 23 |
Need more information / Answer questions | 20 | 20 | 21 | 24+ | 18 | 8- | 20 | 32+ | 22 | 20 |
Staff / trainers weren't trained well / weren't knowledgeable | 20 | 19 | 29+ | 12 | 22 | 29+ | 22 | 21 | 12- | 19 |
Dislike the videos / More hands-on or practical training | 13 | 17 | 22 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 24+ | 8- | 21 | 17 |
* Caution should be used when interpreting results due to small sample.
Overall, eighty-two percent (TOP2: 82%) of election officers reported that training on accessibility and sensitivity towards people with disabilities was very or somewhat useful. Officers in Manitoba were significantly more likely to report that training was useful (TOP2: 91%), while officers in Quebec were significantly more likely than all other regions to report that the training was not useful (BTM2: 14%).
Q47: How useful was the training on the topic of accessibility and sensitivity towards people with disabilities? | Region | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ATL (n=346) | QC (n=924) | ON (n=1385) | MAN (n=154) | SASK (n=115) | AB (n=39)* | BC (n=423) | TER (n=115) | Overall (n=3503) | |
% | |||||||||
TOP2 | 87 | 71- | 87 | 91+ | 80 | 88 | 84 | 70- | 82 |
BTM2 | 6 | 14+ | 6 | 3- | 1 | 3 | 7 | 5 | 8 |
Very useful | 60 | 32 | 63 | 56 | 51 | 59 | 50 | 45 | 51 |
Somewhat useful | 27 | 39 | 25 | 34 | 30 | 29 | 34 | 25 | 31 |
Not very useful | 3 | 10 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 3 | 5 |
Not at all useful | 3 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 3 |
Did not have to deal with people with disabilities | 7 | 13 | 6 | 4 | 14 | 8 | 7 | 16 | 8 |
DK/Refused | 1 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 1 | 3 | 9 | 2 |
* Caution should be used when interpreting results due to small sample.
When focusing on polling stations, officers at seniors' homes (TOP2: 89%) were significantly more likely to find the accessibility training very or somewhat useful compared with "other" polling station types and the overall population (TOP2: 82%, each).
Q47: How useful was the training on the topic of accessibility and sensitivity towards people with disabilities? | Polling Station | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Abo. Reserve (n=282) | Sen. / LT Care (n=797) | Stud. Res. (n=466) | Other (n=1958) | Overall (n=3503) | |
% | |||||
TOP2 | 88 | 89 | 85 | 82 | 82 |
BTM2 | 4 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
Very useful | 67+ | 52 | 56 | 51 | 51 |
Somewhat useful | 21- | 36 | 29 | 31 | 31 |
Not very useful | 2- | 6 | 7 | 5 | 5 |
Not at all useful | 2 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 3 |
Did not have to deal with people with disabilities | 5 | 2 | 4 | 9 | 8 |
DK/Refused | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
Election officers in mobile polls (TOP2: 87%) were significantly more likely than those in ordinary polls (TOP2: 81%) to report that the training on the topic of accessibility and sensitivity was useful.
Information officers were significantly more likely to find the accessibility training very or somewhat useful (TOP2: 88%) compared with officers in other staff positions, except central poll supervisors.
Q47: How useful was the training on the topic of accessibility and sensitivity towards people with disabilities? | Type of Poll | Staffing Position | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Adv.
(n=232) |
Ord. (n=2997) | Adv. + ord. (n=224) | Mobile (n=49)* |
DRO
(n=1261) |
IO
(n=421) |
CPS (n=245) | RegO (n=315) | PC (n=1261) | Overall (n=3503) | |
% | ||||||||||
TOP2 | 84 | 81 | 87 | 87 | 79 | 88 | 83 | 86 | 81 | 82 |
BTM2 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 8 | 7 | 11 | 4 | 8 | 8 |
Very useful | 50 | 51 | 54 | 56 | 49- | 59+ | 61+ | 54 | 49 | 51 |
Somewhat useful | 34 | 30 | 33 | 31 | 30 | 30 | 22- | 32 | 33 | 31 |
Not very useful | 3 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 4 | 6 | 3 | 6 | 5 |
Not at all useful | 4 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
Did not have to deal with people with disabilities | 6 | 9 | 3 | 5 | 10 | 3 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 8 |
DK/Refused | 4 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 |
* Caution should be used when interpreting results due to small sample.
Training at Home
Three-quarters (74%) of election officers did training study at home. Officers in Saskatchewan (83%) were more likely to do training study at home, while officers in Quebec (61%) were least likely to do so.
Q48: Did you do any training study at home? | Region | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ATL (n=346) | QC (n=924) | ON (n=1385) | MAN (n=154) | SASK (n=115) | AB (n=39)* | BC (n=423) | TER (n=115) | Overall (n=3503) | |
% | |||||||||
Yes | 78 | 61- | 81+ | 70 | 83+ | 70 | 82+ | 65- | 74 |
No | 22 | 39+ | 19- | 29 | 17- | 30 | 18- | 35+ | 26 |
DK/Refused | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
* Caution should be used when interpreting results due to small sample.
By polling station, election officers who worked in Aboriginal reserves were less likely to do training at home than officers who worked at other polling stations, except those who worked at a student residence polling station. Further, officers who worked at a polling station at a seniors' home (78%) were significantly more likely to do training study at home than the other polling station groups.
Q48: Did you do any training study at home? | Polling Station | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Abo. Reserve (n=282) | Sen. / LT Care (n=797) | Stud. Res. (n=466) | Other (n=1958) | Overall (n=3503) | |
% | |||||
Yes | 67- | 78+ | 72 | 74 | 74 |
No | 33+ | 22- | 27 | 26 | 26 |
DK/Refused | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Officers at both advance and ordinary polls were significantly more likely to do training at home than those who worked in advance polls. By staffing position, information officers (39%) were significantly more likely to not do training at home than other staffing positions.
Q48: Did you do any training study at home? | Type of Poll | Staffing Position | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Adv.
(n=232) |
Ord. (n=2997) | Adv. + ord. (n=224) | Mobile (n=49)* |
DRO
(n=1261) |
IO
(n=421) |
CPS (n=245) | RegO (n=315) | PC (n=1261) | Overall (n=3503) | |
% | ||||||||||
Yes | 69- | 75 | 78+ | 71 | 79 | 61- | 79 | 74 | 74 | 74 |
No | 31+ | 25 | 22 | 29 | 21 | 39+ | 20 | 26 | 26 | 26 |
DK/Refused | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
* Caution should be used when interpreting results due to small sample.
Officers who indicated they did training at home spent an average of 3.2 hours on this activity. The number of hours spent is similar across regions.
Officers in Atlantic Provinces spent an average of 3.8 hours on training. Similar to 2011, Quebec officers spent the same amount of time doing training at home (2.9 hours). In 2015, officers in Manitoba, Alberta, and the Territories also spent an average of 2.9 hours on training.
Chart 9 : Average hours spent on training, by region
Text Description of "Chart 9 : Average hours spent on training, by region"
* Caution should be used when interpreting results due to small sample.
Officers who worked in both advance and ordinary polls spent the most time on training at home (5.1 hours), while those who worked in the ordinary polls spent an average of 3 hours on training at home. Central poll supervisors were significantly more likely to spend time watching training videos than other staffing positions, spending an average of 3.9 hours.
Three in ten (29%) of election officers who did training at home watched the training videos online. Officers in Alberta (39%) had the highest reporting of watching the training videos online, while officers in Saskatchewan (21%) and Quebec (20%) had the lowest.
Chart 10 : Training videos, by region
Text Description of "Chart 10 : Training videos, by region"
* Caution should be used when interpreting results due to small sample.
Base: those who did training study at home
Officers who worked at Aboriginal reserve polling stations were more likely to report watching training videos at home (39%) than officers who worked in other types of polling stations, except student residences.
Registration officers were significantly more likely to watch the training videos at home (35%) than poll clerks (26%). Compared with the overall population, registration officers have the highest reporting of watching training videos online.
Almost all (TOP2: 95%) officers who did training at home and watched the training videos (N=745) found the videos to be very or somewhat useful. By region, officers in British Columbia (BTM2: 9%) were less likely to find the training videos useful than officers in other regions.
Q51: How useful were these training videos? | Region | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ATL (n=88) | QC (n=110) | ON (n=335) | MAN (n=34)* | SASK (n=20)* | AB (n=11)* | BC (n=125) | TER (n=23)* | Overall (n=745) | |
% | |||||||||
TOP2 | 94 | 96 | 97 | 95 | 100 | 97 | 91 | 86 | 95 |
BTM2 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 6 | 0 | 4 | 9 | 14 | 5 |
Very useful | 52 | 49 | 59+ | 46 | 23- | 40- | 38- | 43- | 51 |
Somewhat useful | 43 | 47 | 38- | 48 | 77+ | 56+ | 54+ | 43 | 44 |
Not very useful | 4 | 4 | 3 | 6 | 0 | 4 | 9 | 14+ | 5 |
Not at all useful | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
DK/Refused | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
* Caution should be used when interpreting results due to small sample.
Base: those who watched training videos online
By polling station, officers at Aboriginal reserves were significantly more likely to find the training videos "very useful" (69%) than the other polling station groups.
Q51: How useful were these training videos? | Polling Station | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Abo. Reserve (n=73) | Sen. / LT Care (n=183) | Stud. Res. (n=108) | Other (n=414) | Overall (n=778) | |
% | |||||
TOP2 | 95 | 93 | 97 | 95 | 95 |
BTM2 | 5 | 6 | 3 | 5 | 5 |
Very useful | 69+ | 46- | 56 | 51 | 51 |
Somewhat useful | 26- | 47 | 40 | 45 | 44 |
Not very useful | 5 | 6 | 3 | 5 | 5 |
Not at all useful | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
DK/Refused | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Base: those who watched training videos online
Officers who worked in both advance and ordinary polls were significantly more likely to find the training videos very or somewhat useful than other types of polls. Deputy returning officers were significantly more likely to find the training videos not very or not at all useful.
Q51: How useful were these training videos? | Type of Poll | Staffing Position | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Adv.
(n=54) |
Ord. (n=630) | Adv. + ord. (n=52) | Mobile (n=9)* |
DRO
(n=276) |
IO
(n=84) |
CPS (n=65) | RegO (n=81) | PC (n=240) | Overall (n=745) | |
% | ||||||||||
TOP2 | 97 | 95 | 100 | 94 | 92 | 100 | 98 | 98 | 96 | 95 |
BTM2 | 3 | 5 | 0 | 6 | 8 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 5 |
Very useful | 42- | 52 | 43- | 54 | 49 | 69+ | 42- | 49 | 50 | 51 |
Somewhat useful | 55+ | 43 | 58+ | 40 | 43 | 31- | 56+ | 49 | 46 | 44 |
Not very useful | 3 | 5 | 0 | 6 | 8+ | 0 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 5 |
Not at all useful | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
DK/Refused | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
* Caution should be used when interpreting results due to small sample.
Base: those who watched training videos online
Return to source of Footnote 10 N values: ATL (n=346); QC (n=924); ONT (n=1385); MAN (n=154); SASK (n=115); AB (n=39); BC (n=423); TER (n=115)
Return to source of Footnote 11 "Better / more training" refers to quality of training.
Return to source of Footnote 12 "Needed more time / it was rushed" refers to quantity/length of training.