Specifics of the pre-election fight of young candidates in the deputies of the Legislative Duma of the Tomsk region in 2007–2021

At the present stage, youth is considered to be one of the key factors in the modernization of all spheres of society. Due to psychophysical characteristics of this demographic group (health level, high activity, availability of a large amount of free time, low involvement in society, mobility, increased intellectual search), young people can act as a driving force of change and innovation in the country. The country’s elite understands necessity for attracting young people to the official political space. In addition, the elite views this demographic group as a channel for their own rejuvenation. At present, it is relevant to study the processes of renewal of regional Russian elites on the example of the Tomsk region. The purpose of this work is to reveal peculiar features of the electoral activity of young people as candidates for deputies to the Tomsk region Legislative Duma. The data for a comparative study of information about candidates for deputies for the period from 2007 to 2021 were obtained from the official website of the Electoral Commission of the Tomsk Region: State Automated System “Elections” (SAS “Elections”). Analysis of four election campaigns from 2011 to 2021 revealed an increase in the number of young candidates nominated and elected on party lists. Chances to participate in elections as self-nominees are very low for young people. Most of the self-nominated candidates are not registered as candidates. The reason lies in the complex character of the process of collecting signatures that requires significant material costs. During four election campaigns from 2007 to 2021 not a single young self-nominated candidate managed to become a deputy of the Legislative Duma of the Tomsk region. In the ranking of non-parliamentary and parliamentary parties that attract young candidates, the LDPR occupies a special place. This party attracted a significant number of young candidates during all of the four election periods that were studied. This fact can be explained by the traditional youth focused programmatical principles of the party. When analyzing the list of young candidates who won, an average portrait of a young deputy was formed.