News and Press releases

Aggregated party rating in local elections is the sum of party results in elections to regional councils, in Kyiv – to the city council, and in Donetsk and Luhansk regions – to district councils. Source: data from territorial election commissions and monitoring surveys by Rating Group (September–October 2020).

• Analysis of the results of local elections showed that voter turnout in western regions was higher than in the southeastern ones. For example, while turnout on October 25 in Ternopil and Lviv regions was about 44%, in southeastern regions only about a third of voters came to the polls. As a result, the share of western regions in the total voter base increased from 27% to 31%.
• According to the aggregated party rating in local elections, the conditional 5% threshold was passed by Servant of the People (14.5%), European Solidarity (13.7%), Opposition Platform – For Life (12.5%), For the Future (8.6%), and Batkivshchyna (8.5%). Percentages are calculated from the total number of votes cast for parties.
• Our Land received 3.9% support overall, Svoboda – 3.3%, the Radical Party of Lyashko – 2.4%, Strength and Honor – 2.4%, Proposition – 2.2%, UDAR of Vitali Klitschko – 2.0%, Holos – 1.7%, Shariy’s Party – 1.4%, Palchevskyi’s Victory – 0.8%.
• The combined rating of other (mostly local) parties is about 22%.
• The total support for the five parliamentary parties in these elections was 51% (in the 2019 parliamentary elections they received 78%). At the same time, in regions where strong local parties were not present, parliamentary parties received significantly more support in local elections.
• A comparative analysis of Rating Group polling results and election outcomes showed a fairly high accuracy of forecasts (average deviation for party results is 0.7%), and minor deviations are explained by the shift in actual turnout toward western regions and the relatively low share of youth among those who actually voted on October 25.
• The Servant of the People party took leading positions (1st–3rd place) in Dnipropetrovsk, Zhytomyr, Zakarpattia, Zaporizhzhia, Kyiv, Kirovohrad, Mykolaiv, Odesa, Poltava, Rivne, Sumy, Kherson, Khmelnytskyi, Cherkasy, Chernivtsi, and Chernihiv regions.
• Opposition Platform – For Life received high results in the southern and eastern regions, as well as in Sumy region.
• European Solidarity took higher positions in the Halychyna regions, Zhytomyr, Kyiv, Rivne, and Chernivtsi regions, and in Kyiv city.
• The For the Future party recorded leading positions in Volyn, as well as in Ivano-Frankivsk, Ternopil, Khmelnytskyi, Cherkasy, and Poltava regions.
• Batkivshchyna received high results in Kirovohrad, Ivano-Frankivsk, Zakarpattia, Poltava, and Chernivtsi regions.
• The Our Land party took high positions in Luhansk, Zhytomyr, Chernihiv, and Mykolaiv regions; Svoboda – in Ivano-Frankivsk and Ternopil; the Radical Party of Lyashko – in Chernihiv; UDAR – in Kyiv; Proposition – in Dnipropetrovsk.
• Local parties became winners in Vinnytsia (Ukrainian Strategy of Groysman), Zakarpattia (Native Zakarpattia), Poltava (Dovira), Kharkiv (Kernes Bloc – Successful Kharkiv!), Khmelnytskyi (Simchyshyn’s Team), Cherkasy (Cherkasy Region Party), and Chernihiv (Native Home). They also held leading positions in Kherson (We Live Here!), Khmelnytskyi (For Concrete Actions), and Chernivtsi (The Only Alternative) regions.

• According to the results of a survey by Rating Group, conducted on November 15–17, 2020, 62% often follow news about the coronavirus, 20% do so occasionally, 11% – rarely. 7% are not interested in such news at all. Older people and women follow coronavirus news more frequently.
• 48% of respondents consider the measures introduced by the authorities to combat the coronavirus to be optimal. 24% consider them too soft, 11% – on the contrary, too strict.
• Almost 70% of respondents are very worried that someone close to them might get sick with the coronavirus. At the same time, they worry about their own health almost twice less. Since March, the number of those who are very worried about a possible illness has somewhat increased. There are more such people among rural residents, older individuals, and women.
• 41% assessed their emotional state over the past week as calm, while 29% described it as tense. Compared to March, indicators of tension have slightly increased. A higher level of anxiety is recorded among women, older people, and those who more often follow coronavirus news and fear getting sick.
• 35% of respondents are satisfied with President Zelensky’s performance in combating the coronavirus epidemic, 60% – not satisfied. 33% are satisfied with the work of Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada Razumkov, 48% – not satisfied, 18% could not evaluate it. 23% are satisfied with the work of Prime Minister Shmyhal, 60% – not satisfied, 18% could not evaluate it. Among central authorities, respondents are most dissatisfied with the work of the Cabinet of Ministers (67%) and the Verkhovna Rada (72%). 32% are satisfied with the work of Minister of Health Stepanov, 55% – not satisfied. 36% are satisfied with the work of the police, 51% – not satisfied.
• 75% of respondents support introducing fines for being in public places and on public transport without masks; 24% oppose this. Fines are more often supported by women and older people; support is highest in Kyiv and lowest in the South.
• 83% of respondents say they often wear a protective mask, 14% – occasionally or rarely, 3% – almost never. 70% often disinfect their hands, 23% – occasionally or rarely, 6% – almost never. Only 14% often use protective gloves, 33% – occasionally or rarely, 53% – almost never. Compared to March, frequent mask use has increased significantly (from 58% to 83%), while use of protective gloves has decreased substantially (from 38% to 14%).
• 85% know that the Government has introduced a “weekend quarantine,” while 15% have only heard something about it or are hearing about it for the first time.
• Attitudes toward the introduction of the “weekend quarantine” are polarized: half of respondents support it, and just as many oppose it. At the same time, only 35% expect that its introduction will reduce the spread of the coronavirus, while 62% disagree with this.
• Meanwhile, 61% consider the introduction of a “hard quarantine” (lockdown) impractical (36% support it). However, its effectiveness is assessed significantly higher than that of the “weekend quarantine”: 55% believe that the spread of the coronavirus will decrease as a result of the lockdown, while 42% hold the opposite view.
• The absolute majority of respondents believe that funds from the special coronavirus response fund should primarily be directed toward purchasing protective equipment for doctors, equipping hospital beds with medical oxygen, purchasing medicines and equipment for hospitals, providing additional payments to doctors and those involved in combating the coronavirus, and increasing coronavirus testing.
• Allocating fund resources for the construction of mobile hospitals is considered necessary by 81% (15% consider it unnecessary), and compensation to entrepreneurs for forced downtime due to quarantine restrictions is also supported by 81% (17% consider it unnecessary).
• The least supported use of the special coronavirus fund is road construction (here opinions are split: 48% support allocating funds for this purpose, while 50% do not).
• The trust rating of politicians is headed by Volodymyr Zelensky, who is trusted by 46% of respondents and not trusted by 51%.
• Dmytro Razumkov is trusted by 32% and not trusted by 36%, while 26% do not know him. Yuliia Tymoshenko is trusted by 25% and not trusted by 72%. Yurii Boiko is trusted by 24% and not trusted by 52%. Petro Poroshenko is trusted by 23% and not trusted by 74%. Arsen Avakov is trusted by 22% and not trusted by 67%.
• Denys Shmyhal is trusted by 18% and not trusted by 54%, and almost a quarter have not heard of him. Maksym Stepanov is trusted by 19% and not trusted by 36% (41% do not know him). Andrii Yermak is trusted by 12% and not trusted by 43% (40% do not know him). Iryna Venediktova is trusted by 9% and not trusted by 38% (almost 50% have not heard of her).

• The results of a survey conducted by Rating Group in early November showed that in the parliamentary rating the leading party is “Servant of the People,” which is supported by 22.7% of those who intend to vote and have made their choice. 17.1% are ready to vote for the “Opposition Platform – For Life,” 15.4% for “European Solidarity,” 8.0% for “Batkivshchyna,” 4.5% for “For the Future,” 4.3% for the “Strength and Honor” party, 4.3% for the Radical Party of Lyashko, 3.7% for UDAR of Vitalii Klitschko, 3.6% for “Holos,” 3.5% for the “Svoboda” party, 3.4% for the Shariy Party, and 3.1% for the “Ukrainian Strategy of Groysman” party. The rating of other political forces is below 3%.
• The “Servant of the People” party maintains strong positions in the southern regions. The “Opposition Platform – For Life” has an advantage in the south-eastern regions, “Batkivshchyna” in the central-western regions, “European Solidarity” in the western regions and in Kyiv, and “For the Future” in the western regions.
• Residents of cities more often vote for the “Opposition Platform – For Life,” “European Solidarity,” “Holos,” and the Shariy Party. At the same time, “Batkivshchyna,” “For the Future,” and the Radical Party of Lyashko have higher support among residents of rural areas. The electorate of the “Servant of the People” party is relatively evenly distributed by type of settlement.

• The results of a survey conducted by Rating Group showed that 80% of survey participants are convinced that issuing a fiscal receipt protects consumer rights. 16% hold a different opinion. The latter are relatively more common among entrepreneurs.
• 48% of respondents are convinced that guaranteeing safety and quality when purchasing goods and services in Ukraine should primarily be the responsibility of the entrepreneur who sells the goods or provides the services. 44%, on the other hand, believe this should be ensured by state consumer protection authorities. The latter view is relatively more common among older and less affluent respondent groups.
• 53% believe that expanding the number of sectors required to issue fiscal receipts will lead to better order in tax collection, while 33% believe this will complicate doing business. The latter opinion is most widespread among those who own a business (55%).
• The vast majority of consumers are not ready to purchase risk-group goods without receiving a fiscal receipt (more than 60%). This is especially true for complex household appliances and electronics, where more than 80% are not ready to buy them without a receipt. More than 70% also do not support the initiative to abolish fiscal receipts when purchasing risky categories of goods.
• Almost 70% are not ready to file a complaint with the State Tax Service in cases where a seller did not issue a fiscal receipt and to receive a monetary reward amounting to 100% of the product’s value. 28% stated that they could do so if a receipt was not provided. Compared to last year, the share of such respondents has slightly increased (in October 2019 it was 20%). A relative majority of those willing to file such complaints are younger respondents, those who expressed a desire to have their own business but do not yet have one, and those who have not encountered situations of non-issuance of receipts over the past year.
• 66% support legislative initiatives by the authorities aimed at eliminating schemes of tax evasion by businesses. A quarter are opposed to such innovations. The latter are relatively more common among those who already own a business or plan to start one (around one third).
• 51% believe that expanding the use of cash registers (RRO) is rather a way to bring order to tax payments. At the same time, 37% are convinced that this constitutes pressure on small businesses. This opinion is particularly widespread among those who own a business (63%).
• Two thirds agree with the statement that strengthening state control over business activities improves the quality of goods and services. One third hold the opposite view. About half (54%) agree that only sellers who honestly pay taxes can provide quality goods and services.
• A predominant share of respondents (from 55% to 60%) support the following initiatives: creating an application similar to Privat24 or Monobank that would allow entrepreneurs to issue fiscal receipts in electronic format, the possibility of receiving an electronic receipt instead of a paper one when making purchases, expanding the scope of cash register (RRO) use (56%), and providing cashback to consumers in the amount of 100% if a seller does not issue a fiscal receipt for goods (55%). Every third to fifth respondent is opposed to these innovations. The introduction of large fines for businesses selling goods without receipts was supported by a relative majority of Ukrainian respondents (47%), while a significant share opposed this initiative (37%). This measure is perceived particularly critically among entrepreneurs.
• Respondents did not support such government initiatives as additional taxes on the purchase of smartphones, televisions, and tablets aimed at increasing payments to authors of songs, music, films, and other intellectual products, as well as the introduction of one-time asset declarations (at a rate of 9–10%) by citizens for property and funds on which taxes were not paid (around 50–60%).
• One of the main motives when purchasing risk-group goods (medicines and medical products, complex household appliances, electronics, and auto parts) is the price of the product, especially when purchasing medicines. For auto parts and electrical equipment, warranty support and the possibility of returning goods are also important. For the latter group of goods, store brand recognition also plays a certain role in purchasing decisions.
• 47% of respondents made purchases of goods and services from domestic companies online over the past year, while 53% did not have such experience. Among the information most often sought by those who made online purchases was a phone number (78%). Half of respondents were interested in the company’s address (physical and legal), legal name, license availability, and email address. At the same time, for about 40% of such consumers this information was not of interest. Consumers were least interested in the seller’s form of entrepreneurial activity and identification number/EDRPOU code identifying the entrepreneur as a business entity. At the same time, 54% confirm the statement that the ability to obtain full information about the seller is a guarantee of high quality of goods and services.
• 14% stated that they have the “Diia” application installed on their smartphone. Another 11% would like or plan to install it. 51% do not have it and do not plan to install it, while 24% do not have smartphones. Among those who have the application or want to install it, 68% would not mind having a “Consumer+” page in the application with electronic receipts, product warranties, and a list of sellers identified as business entities who do not conceal this information when consumers request returns, exchanges, or warranty repairs.
• The majority (54%) do not support the introduction of mandatory income declaration for all categories of citizens with obligatory annual tax filings. 38% support this initiative. Supporters are relatively more common among residents of Western Ukraine, younger respondents, and more affluent individuals.

• The results of a survey conducted by Rating Group showed that when assessing changes in the fight against corruption over the past year, 47% of respondents did not see any progress, 34% believe the situation has worsened, and 14% observed positive changes. The index of changes in the fight against corruption is significantly higher than in 2018, but somewhat worse compared to 2019.
• 39% of respondents are well informed about the decision of the Constitutional Court that abolished electronic asset declarations and the system of access to information on the assets and incomes of senior officials, 36% have heard something about it, while 25% are hearing about it for the first time. Older people and residents of the capital are the most informed.
• Only 11% of respondents have a positive attitude toward the Constitutional Court’s decision, 25% are neutral, while the majority (59%) view it negatively. At the same time, among respondents who are well familiar with the content of the decision, negative attitudes reach 83%. The most negative attitudes toward the Constitutional Court’s decision are observed among older people, residents of the capital, Western and Central Ukraine, and supporters of European Solidarity, Holos, and the Strength and Honor party.
• The majority of respondents (60%) do not trust the Constitutional Court. Among those who are well familiar with the content of the decision to abolish electronic declarations for senior officials, distrust of the institution reaches almost 80%. Supporters of European Solidarity, Holos, Batkivshchyna, the Shariy party, Strength and Honor, and Servant of the People demonstrate the highest levels of distrust toward the Constitutional Court.
• Almost 60% of respondents support the President’s draft law proposing the termination of the powers of the current composition of the Constitutional Court. 27% do not support it, and 16% are undecided.
• The majority of respondents (55%) have a negative attitude toward the possible cancellation of the visa-free regime with the European Union, only 11% view it positively, and 31% are neutral. The most negative attitudes toward the possible cancellation of the visa-free regime are observed among young people, residents of the capital and Western Ukraine, and supporters of European Solidarity, Svoboda, Holos, and the Servant of the People party.

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• According to the results of the Electoral and Behavioral Study conducted by Rating Group on election day (25 October), older voters were more active in the 2020 local elections: 56% of those who came to vote were people aged over 50, while in the overall structure of the electorate their share is 45%.
• At the same time, young people were less active: only 11% of those who came to vote were aged 18–29, although their share in the overall structure of the electorate is 18%.
• The greatest imbalance toward the older electorate occurred mainly in cities and more often among men. In the regional breakdown, this was more common in the East and South of the country, where the share of voters aged over 50 reached 60%.
• An analysis of responses from respondents who did not vote on 25 October showed that among women the most common reasons for not voting were health conditions and the threat of coronavirus, while among men the main reasons were being busy on election day, lack of interest in the elections, and lack of interest in their results.
• In the age breakdown, for older respondents the main reason for not voting was health status, while for young people it was being busy on election day and living outside the place of registration (especially relevant for Kyiv). For people of middle age, the threat of coronavirus was an additional reason.

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• According to the electoral and behavioral study by the Rating Group conducted on election day, October 25, 2020, among those who voted in the local elections, 40% said that it was difficult for them to understand the ballots: 13% said it was very difficult and 27% said it was somewhat difficult. At the same time, 35% of voters said it was quite easy to do so, and 25% said it was very easy.
• Among those who voted, the majority believe that local elections are important for the country (79%). At the same time, among those who did not go to the polls, only about half share this view. Voters are also more optimistic about the future than non-voters: 47% of voters believe that the situation in their city or village will improve as a result of these elections, 38% think it will not change. Among non-voters, only 20% believe the situation will improve, while the majority (58%) think it will not change and 13% expect it to worsen.
• Among those who did not vote, a relative majority feel disappointment about the situation in the country — 63%, while 32% of them feel hope. Those who voted give more mixed answers: 44% feel hope and 51% feel disappointment about the country.
• Overall, among all emotions felt by voters, hope (51%) and interest (24%) prevail, while among those who did not vote, disappointment dominates (35%).
• Among the polling stations covered by the Rating Group study, a presidential poll was conducted at 69% of stations. At those stations where the presidential poll was not conducted, the majority said they would have participated in it if it had been held (67%). Overall, participation in the presidential poll was highest among voters of the Servant of the People party (63% participated, 37% did not), and lowest among voters of the European Solidarity party (27% participated, 73% did not).
• Respondents gave the following answers to the five questions posed by the President. Support for Ukraine’s right to use security guarantees defined by the Budapest Memorandum was expressed by 78% of those who participated both in the elections and in the presidential poll, while 10% did not support it and 12% were unable to answer. Among those who participated in the elections but not in the presidential poll, 56% support this right, 13% do not, and 31% were unable to answer.
• Legalization of cannabis for medical purposes to alleviate pain for seriously ill patients is supported by 70% of those who participated both in the elections and in the presidential poll, while 24% do not support it. Among those who voted but did not participate in the presidential poll, 52% support it, 28% do not, and 20% were unable to answer.
• The idea of life imprisonment for corruption on a particularly large scale is supported by 81% of those who participated both in the elections and in the presidential poll, while 16% do not support it. Among those who voted but did not take part in the presidential poll, 63% support this idea, 21% do not, and 16% are undecided.
• The idea of creating a free economic zone in the territories of Donetsk and Luhansk regions is supported by 45% of those who participated both in the elections and in the presidential poll, while 43% do not support it and 12% are undecided. Among those who voted but did not participate in the presidential poll, 33% support this idea, 39% do not, and 28% are undecided.
• The idea of reducing the number of Members of Parliament to 300 is supported by 95% of those who participated both in the elections and in the presidential poll, while 4% do not support it. Among those who voted but did not participate in the presidential poll, 81% support it, 7% do not, and 13% are undecided.
• Among those who did not vote in the elections, 20% named health condition as the main reason, 19% said they do not live at their place of registration, 15% were busy on election day, and 14% did not know whom to vote for. For 12%, elections are uninteresting, and 10% cited the coronavirus epidemic. For 4%, there were no elections in their city or village, and another 4% were not included in the voter lists.
• If there had been an opportunity to vote electronically from home, 46% of those who did not vote in the local elections say they would have voted, 13% say the chances are 50/50, 14% say they possibly would have voted, and 25% say they would not have voted.

• The results of a survey conducted by Rating Group on October 20–21 recorded a gradual increase in interest in the President’s poll. Thus, 70% of respondents know that President Zelenskyy announced a nationwide poll to be held on election day, October 25 (35% said they know about it well, 35% said they have heard something about it). 29% know nothing about it. A relatively higher level of awareness of the presidential initiative is recorded among residents of regional centers and Kyiv, older respondents, and voters of the parties Strength and Honor, European Solidarity, the Shariy Party, and Svoboda.
• 43% of respondents have a positive attitude toward the President’s idea of holding a nationwide poll on election day. 30% are neutral and 25% have a negative attitude. Residents of Kyiv and Galicia, older respondents, and voters of the European Solidarity party tend to view this idea more negatively. Younger respondents and supporters of the Servant of the People party perceive this initiative positively.
• 63% of respondents consider the President’s initiative to be legal, while 23% hold the opposite view. Only supporters of European Solidarity mostly consider the President’s poll illegal. Voters of other parties, in their relative majority, consider the poll to be legal.

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• According to the results of a survey conducted by Rating Group, 76% of respondents noticed an improvement in the condition of roads and an increase in road repairs over the past year (in 2017 this share was 62%, in 2018 – 61%). 23% hold the opposite view. Assessing improvements in road conditions at different levels, 67% of respondents noticed improvements on interregional roads, 63% in their district, and 62% in their locality.
• Among respondents who noticed improvements in road conditions, 46% believe that the main credit for this belongs to local authorities, 29% believe it is the President’s merit, only 3% attribute it to the Prime Minister, and 2% to the Verkhovna Rada. Over the past three years, the share of those who believe that road improvements are the President’s merit has increased significantly.
• If in 2017–2018 good roads were considered the merit of local authorities and the Prime Minister, then in 2020 they are attributed to local authorities and the President.
• 56% of respondents believe that more roads are being repaired under Zelenskyy than under Poroshenko (13%). 18% believe that the amount of construction was the same. Assessing the sphere of social infrastructure construction, 27% believe that more is being built under Zelenskyy, 27% under both, and 17% under Poroshenko.
• Comparing all presidents, 41% believe that the most road repairs took place under Zelenskyy. 15% believe this was during President Poroshenko’s term, 11% during Yanukovych’s, 8% during Kuchma’s, 3% during Yushchenko’s, and 2% during Kravchuk’s. 17% were unable to decide on this issue.

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• The results of a survey conducted by Rating Group (16–19 October) recorded a gradual increase in positive expectations regarding local elections since the beginning of the study (early September 2020). At present, 34% of respondents believe that the situation in their city or village will improve as a result of the elections. 52% believe that nothing will change. Only 6% believe that the situation will worsen. An increase in optimism is observed across all age groups.
• 61% of respondents stated their intention to participate in the local elections. 18% are undecided (50/50), another 7% may participate, and 13% consider participation unlikely. Electoral mobilization is gradually increasing among younger and middle-aged groups.
• In the event of a worsening coronavirus situation, 51% confirmed their readiness to take part in the elections, 21% are undecided (50/50), 9% may come to polling stations, and 17% consider participation unlikely. Over the past two weeks, the number of those ready to come to polling stations even in the event of an escalation of the epidemic has increased.
• 58% of respondents said they had already decided whom to vote for, while 40% had not. Among those who stated that they would definitely come to polling stations, 73% are decided. A relatively higher level of certainty is observed among the oldest respondents.
• According to the aggregated party rating in local elections, five parties pass the conditional 5% threshold among those who are decided and have a firm intention to vote: “Servant of the People” with 16.7%, “Opposition Platform – For Life” with 13.5%, “European Solidarity” with 13.2%, “Batkivshchyna” with 8.6%, and “For the Future” with 7.4%.
• The party “Our Land” is supported by 4.0%. The Radical Party of Oleh Liashko has 3.3%, UDAR of Vitali Klitschko 2.7%, Svoboda 2.3%, the Shariy Party 1.9%, “Proposition” 1.6%, “Holos” 1.4%, “Strength and Honor” 1.2%, and “Palchevskyi’s Victory” 0.9%. The combined rating of other parties (mainly local ones) participating in the local elections and included in the study list is 21.3%.
• 48% believe that minor falsifications will occur in the local elections. 28% are convinced that they will be significant. 16% believe that there will be no falsifications. Over the past month, the number of those expecting significant falsifications has increased.
• 62% of respondents have a negative attitude toward situations where, during elections, some politicians and parties provide material assistance to voters (distributing food packages, money, funds for repairs or treatment). 19% are neutral, and 15% are positive. At the same time, only 6% personally encountered attempts at bribery, 11% know about such cases from relatives or acquaintances, and 81% had no such experience during this election campaign.
• 57% have heard about the Government’s recommendation to vote using a personal pen. 42% have not heard about it. Only one third know about the recommendation not to bring children to polling stations. 65% do not know about this recommendation, especially among those who have children under 16 years old. Despite this, 87% support such a recommendation, while only 10% hold the opposite view.

• The results of a survey conducted by Rating Group on 17–19 October among residents of Chernivtsi showed that city residents assess the situation in the city and in the country equally pessimistically. Thus, 70% believe that affairs in the country are developing in the wrong direction, while 19% think they are moving in the right direction. With regard to the city, 17% believe that affairs are moving in the right direction, while 76% believe they are moving in the wrong direction.
• 69% said that they will definitely take part in the local elections, another 13% are hesitant about whether to participate, 3% may take part, and 15% say it is unlikely that they will vote. Voter mobilization is relatively higher among older residents.
• In the rating for the Chernivtsi City Council, the party “Yedyna Alternatyva” is in the lead with a rating of 18.9% among those who will vote and have decided on their choice. This is followed by the party “Team of Mykhailishyn,” which is ready to be supported by 16.7%, “Servant of the People” with 12.2%, “European Solidarity” with 9.0%, “Proposition” with 9.0%, the Party of Chernivtsi Residents with 4.7%, “For the Future” with 4.5%, “Batkivshchyna” with 4.4%, and “Opposition Platform – For Life” with 4.0%. The ratings of other parties are below 4%. About 17% have not yet decided.
• Among the mayoral candidates, Vitalii Mykhailishyn is the leader, with 28.9% among those who will vote and have decided on their choice. 24.8% are ready to support Roman Klichuk, 17.3% Oleksii Kaspruk, 8.6% Vitalii Druhanovskyi, and 4.0% Vasyl Maksymiuk. The ratings of other candidates are below 4%. About 13% of respondents have not decided whom they will vote for.
• 35.0% believe that Roman Klichuk will become the new mayor of Chernivtsi. 32.4% believe that it will be Vitalii Mykhailishyn, 17.9% Oleksii Kaspruk, and 10.0% Vitalii Druhanovskyi. Less than 1% believe in the victory of other candidates.
• Modeling of the second round of the mayoral elections showed that if R. Klichuk were to advance to the second round against other potential candidates, the candidate from the party “Yedyna Alternatyva” would win. In a runoff against O. Kaspruk, the result would be 47% versus 29%; against V. Druhanovskyi, 43% versus 19%; and against V. Mykhailishyn, 42% versus 36%. In a matchup between O. Kaspruk and V. Mykhailishyn, the latter would win with a result of 42% versus 35%.

• The results of a survey conducted by Rating Group on 16–19 October recorded a gradual increase in positive expectations from elections at the local level since the start of the study (early September 2020). Today, 34% of respondents believe that the situation as a result of the elections in their city/village will improve. 52% believe that nothing will change. Only 6% believe that it will worsen. An increase in optimism is recorded in all age groups.
• 61% of respondents stated that they plan to take part in the local elections. 18% are undecided (50/50), another 7% may take part, and 13% say participation is unlikely. Electoral mobilization is gradually increasing among younger and middle-aged groups.
• In the event of a worsening coronavirus situation, 51% confirmed their readiness to take part in the elections, 21% are undecided (50/50), 9% may come to polling stations, and 17% say participation is unlikely. Over the past two weeks, the number of those ready to come to polling stations even in the event of a worsening epidemic has increased.
• 58% of respondents said they have already decided whom to vote for, while 40% have not decided. Among those who said they would definitely come to polling stations, 73% have made their choice. A relatively higher level of certainty is observed among the oldest respondents.
• According to the aggregated party rating for local elections, five parties cross the notional 5% threshold: “Servant of the People” with 16.7% among those who have decided and have a firm intention to vote, “Opposition Platform – For Life” with 13.5%, “European Solidarity” with 13.2%, “Batkivshchyna” with 8.6%, and “For the Future” with 7.4%.
• The party “Nash Krai” is supported by 4.0%. The Radical Party of Oleh Liashko has 3.3%, UDAR of Vitalii Klychko 2.7%, Svoboda 2.3%, the Shariy Party 1.9%, “Proposition” 1.6%, “Holos” 1.4%, “Strength and Honor” 1.2%, and “Victory of Palchevskyi” 0.9%. The combined rating of other parties (mainly local ones) participating in the local elections and included in the study list is 21.3%.
• 48% believe that there will be minor falsifications in the local elections. 28% are convinced that they will be significant. 16% believe there will be none. Over the past month, the number of those expecting significant falsifications has increased.
• 62% of respondents have a negative attitude toward situations where, during elections, some politicians and parties provide material assistance to voters (distribute food packages, money, funds for repairs or treatment). 19% have a neutral attitude, and 15% a positive one. At the same time, only 6% personally encountered attempts at bribery, 11% know about this from relatives or acquaintances, and 81% did not have such experience during this election campaign.
• 57% have heard about the Government’s recommendation to vote using one’s own pen, while 42% have not. Only one third know about the recommendation not to bring children to polling stations. 65% do not know about it, with a higher share among those who have children under 16. Despite this, 87% support this recommendation, while only 10% hold the opposite view.

• The results of a survey conducted by Rating Group during 9–14 October among residents of Odesa showed that Odesa residents assess the situation in the city somewhat more positively than the situation in the country as a whole. Thus, 75% believe that affairs in the country are developing in the wrong direction, while only 12% think they are moving in the right direction. With regard to the city, 28% believe that affairs are moving in the right direction, while 57% think they are developing in the wrong direction.
• 21% are satisfied with the performance of President V. Zelenskyi, while 67% are dissatisfied. More than half of respondents are satisfied with the performance of the Mayor of Odesa, H. Trukhanov (53%), while 33% are dissatisfied. Almost 60% of respondents do not mind H. Trukhanov becoming mayor again, while 37% believe the city needs a new mayor.
• 61% said they would definitely take part in the local elections, another 18% are hesitating whether to participate, 5% may take part, and 15% are unlikely to vote. Voter mobilization is relatively higher among older respondents.
• In the rating for the Odesa City Council, the Trust the Deeds party is leading with 36.2% among those who intend to vote and have made up their minds. It is followed by the Opposition Platform – For Life party with 19.4%, Servant of the People with 12.3%, European Solidarity with 7.2%, the Ukrainian Maritime Party of S. Kivalov with 6.3%, and the Shariy Party with 5.9%. The rating of other parties is below 3%. 14% have not decided.
• When choosing a political force in the city council elections, 25% are more likely to support a well-known national party, while 61% are more likely to support a local party, even if it runs only in the city or region.
• Among mayoral candidates, Hennadii Trukhanov is the leader with 50.1% among those who intend to vote and have made up their minds. 10.6% are ready to support Mykola Skoryk, 8.8% Oleh Filimonov, 7.9% Serhii Kivalov, 5.9% Petro Obukhov, 4.4% Eduard Hurvits, and 3.2% Yevhen Chervonenko. The ratings of other candidates are below 2%. About 14% of respondents have not decided whom they would vote for.
• Modeling of a second round of the mayoral elections showed that if H. Trukhanov were to face other potential candidates, the incumbent mayor would win. In a matchup with E. Hurvits the result would be 68% versus 14%, with S. Kivalov 62% versus 16%, with P. Obukhov 65% versus 12%, with M. Skoryk 59% versus 18%, and with O. Filimonov 64% versus 17%.

• The results of a survey conducted by the Rating Group during 2–9 October among residents of Kharkiv Oblast showed that 56% will definitely take part in the local elections, another 20% are hesitant about whether to participate, 9% may take part, and 15% say it is unlikely that they will vote. Voter mobilization is relatively higher among older respondents, women, and residents of Kharkiv city.
• In the rating for the Kharkiv Oblast Council, the “Kernes Bloc – Successful Kharkiv” party is in the lead with a rating of 45.7% among those who intend to vote and have decided on their choice. It is followed by the “Svitlychna Bloc Together!” party, supported by 19.6%, the “Opposition Platform – For Life” with 13.7%, “Servant of the People” with 7.4%, “European Solidarity” with 4.2%, and the Shariy Party with 3.7%. The rating of other parties is below 2%. About 11% remain undecided.
  

• The results of a survey conducted by the Sociological Group Rating on 16–18 October among residents of Oleksandriia showed that city residents assess the local situation relatively more positively than the situation in the country as a whole. Thus, 76% believe that affairs in the state are developing in the wrong direction, while only 15% think they are moving in the right direction. With regard to the city, 39% believe that things are moving in the right direction, while 48% think they are moving in the wrong direction. The dynamics of overall public sentiment in the city show a negative trend.
• A total of 68% said they would definitely take part in the local elections, another 14% are undecided about participation, 4% may take part, and 13% say it is unlikely they will vote. Voter mobilization is relatively higher among older respondents.
• Modeling a possible worsening of the epidemiological situation in the city slightly reduces overall voter mobilization. In this case, 61% said they would definitely take part in the local elections, another 16% are undecided, 5% may take part, and 16% say it is unlikely they will vote. Despite this, older respondents still express the greatest willingness to come to polling stations.
• In the rating for the Oleksandriia City Council, the party “Proposition” is leading with a rating of 29,3% among those who intend to vote and have made their choice. It is followed by the party “Opposition Platform – For Life,” which is supported by 17,9%, “European Solidarity” with 10,4%, “Batkivshchyna” with 8,4%, “Servant of the People” with 8,3%, “Strength of People” with 6,3%, and the Radical Party of Lyashko with 5,6%. The ratings of other parties are below 4%. About 19–20% are undecided.
• Among mayoral candidates, Serhii Kuzmenko is the leader with 61,4% among those who intend to vote and have made their choice. 36,9% are ready to support Stepan Tsapiuk, and 0,9% Volodymyr Trofymenko. About 10% of respondents have not yet decided whom they will vote for.
• A total of 85% of respondents said they are confident in their choice of mayoral candidate. Confidence is relatively higher among supporters of S. Kuzmenko, at 88%.

• The results of a survey conducted by the Rating Group on 14–16 October showed that 60% know that President Zelensky announced a nationwide poll to be held on election day, 25 October. Among them, 25% said they know about it well, while 35% have heard something about it. At the same time, 40% know nothing about this initiative. A relatively higher level of awareness of the presidential initiative is observed among urban residents and older respondents. During the fieldwork period, a gradual increase in the share of those who had heard about this initiative was recorded.
• 42% of respondents have a positive attitude toward the President’s idea of holding a nationwide poll on election day. 33% perceive it neutrally, while 22% have a negative attitude. Relatively stronger support for this idea is observed among residents of the south-eastern regions of the country, inhabitants of villages and small towns, and voters of the “Servant of the People” party. The most negative attitudes toward this initiative are found among the oldest respondents and voters of the “European Solidarity” party.