Dynamics of Public Opinion on the Digitalization of the Electoral Process in Russia in the Context of the Formation and Development of Social Architecture

Abstract

The article examines changes in public opinion on the digitalization of Russia's electoral process from the first large-scale use of remote electronic voting in the 2021 parliamentary elections to preparations for the highly digitalized 2026 State Duma campaign. Based on the processing and analysis of a body of sociological data, the article explores changes in citizens' awareness, trust, and willingness to use digital electoral technologies, as well as sociodemographic differences in perceptions of digital election tools. It shows that Russian society is gradually adapting to new forms of electoral participation and that their acceptance is determined by various sociodemographic characteristics. Particular attention is paid to the role of social architects in strengthening public trust in the electoral process amid large-scale digitalization. Social architects include public election observers and representatives of specialized civil society institutions and the expert community. The author concludes that the technological development of the electoral system is interconnected with institutionally organized public trust. The legitimization of digital electoral procedures requires not only regulatory and technical reliability but also professional public communication at every level of election organization and administration.