ABSTRACT
In the last 10 years of transition to democratic reform, the Russian electorate has for the first time experienced real contested elections and peaceful transfers of power through the ballot box. In that time there have been three parliamentary elections, two presidential elections, and in a country as vast as Russia, numerous gubernatorial and local elections in the 89 subjects of the Russian Federation. With an electorate of 109 million voters, at the last count, there does not seem to be a time when people somewhere in the country are not going to the polls. It would appear that Russians have been given an unprecedented opportunity to choose their leaders and influence their future. In practice, however, the situation is not so clear; nor can we make any great claims for the triumph of democracy.
