DATES OF ELECTIONS IN THE SOVIET PERIOD OF THE ELECTORAL PROCESS DEVELOPMENT (1918-1936)
The article is devoted to the study of the initial stage of the Soviet electoral process - the appointment of elections, determination of the optimal timing of elections, their frequency and subjects. The Soviet elections at the stage of the formation of the electoral system were held according to the production-territorial principle, with high frequency, these features largely predetermined the problems at the stage of calling elections. The timeframes for holding elections fixed in the first Soviet Constitution (to the grassroots councils - once every three months) turned out to be practically unrealizable, and they were gradually increased, in 1921 having established an annual frequency, subsequently the frequency of elections increased to three years. In the first decade of Soviet power, various models of elections were tested, election campaigns were carried out at different times, throughout the 1920s. the timing of elections was gradually shifted from early autumn to winter. Soviet workers determined the effect of the timing on voter turnout, for example, in the autumn period, voter turnout was low due to employment in agricultural work, the postponement of the dates for the winter period, along with other organizational measures, made it possible to increase the voter turnout at election meetings.