The goal of the FOKUS Aargau project is to investigate, after cantonal referendums and elections, what motivated the citizens of Aargau in their decision-making or why they chose to abstain from voting. The focus is on the individual opinion formation process. This project represents a first of its kind: Until now, no such systematic survey has been conducted in any canton following cantonal referendums or elections.
In contrast, since 1977, post-referendum surveys have been carried out after every federal referendum on behalf of the Federal Council—previously known as VOX, now VOTO. The purpose of these surveys is also to gain a better understanding of the reasons why voters opted for a Yes or No at the ballot box. In a sense, FOKUS Aargau serves as the cantonal equivalent to the national VOTO study.
Reports based on the FOKUS Aargau surveys are published and freely accessible via the Zurich Open Repository and Archive (ZORA, https://www.zora.uzh.ch/view/subjects/FOKUSAargau.html).
