The influence of election turnout on the competitiveness of election in Russia

The paper presents the results of a study on the election turnout of citizens in the Russian regions. The main objective of the study is to analyze how electoral behavior affects the distribution of votes among candidates who implement passive suffrage. It is necessary to determine whether there is a relationship between the competitiveness of election and election turnout. Besides, it is important to explain the reasons for the possible dependence, i.e. to show how this relationship affects the distribution of forces in the pre-election race. The study focuses on the Russian presidential election of 2018. Election turnout is expressed through the percentage of voter turnout, and the voter percentage in favor of candidates nominated for the highest state office is regarded as a result of the election campaign. The study revealed the peculiarities of electoral behavior during the voting period and outlined the relevant aspects of the electoral branch functioning in Russia. The trend in the high percentage of votes for the incumbent president at polling stations and, at the same time, the high percentage of voter turnout prove that the fewer people vote, the more the competition of election is, and vice versa. The low competition and the lack of the alternative to the incumbent government demonstrate that, nowadays, Russia is in need of new political leaders who could prove themselves and, at least, get voters’ attention that implies full involvement in politics during the election period.