A rush of numbers surrounds the United Russia preliminary voting on its party website, with about 22,000 candidates registering and the figure coming from Sergei Perminov, the Deputy Secretary of the party’s General Council. In this opening snapshot, the competition looks intense, and the campaign machinery appears ready for a sizable renewal of party cadres in the regions where elections are held. Perminov notes that the pool of candidates for the preliminary vote includes many new faces, signaling a shift in the party’s local leadership landscape and a broader interest from regional players to participate in the process.
Beyond the general candidate pool, it is reported that 210 SBO participants also joined the preliminary voting process. The SBO track has gained visibility, with Perminov highlighting some practical changes this year. He points out that submitting documents for pre-voting has become easier for SBO participants, removing the need to produce and publicly share elaborate video materials. The rationale, he suggests, is to streamline access for SBO entrants and to recognize their involvement in the party’s broader organizational framework. In Perminov’s view, these procedural adjustments are part of a broader effort to diversify participation and ensure that a wider audience can engage with the early-stage selection process. He also emphasizes a goal that resonates with many voters and observers: the SBO participants have a clear shot at securing a substantial share of the vote, with Perminov stating a target of 25 percent plus, underscoring the potential impact of this group on the final outcomes.
Perminov adds another layer to the picture by noting that nearly half of the registered candidates are not affiliated with any political party. This statistic draws attention to the evolving nature of candidate recruitment and the potential for new perspectives to enter the political arena through the preliminary voting route. The absence of formal party affiliation among a sizable portion of entrants suggests a dynamic where individual platforms and personal qualifications may play a more prominent role in shaping candidates’ trajectories, even within a party-centric framework.
In relation to the party’s broader talent pipeline, Perminov highlights that about 3.3 thousand candidates have participated in the PolitStart personnel project. This initiative is positioned as a structured pathway for nurturing potential leaders and grooming future party cadres, reinforcing the idea that the party is actively cultivating a pipeline of candidates across multiple regions. The emphasis on PolitStart reflects an ongoing commitment to developing organizational depth and ensuring that capable individuals have opportunities to advance through the party’s internal programs.
Looking ahead, the party outlines a sizeable slate of electoral activity for the upcoming term. The 2024 cycle, scheduled to unfold in September, will involve 67 election campaigns spread across 40 regions. This extensive timetable signals a broad outreach effort and a sustained focus on regional contests, where the party seeks to translate the preliminary voting results into a robust field of candidates prepared to engage voters and communities at the local level. The plan underscores the party’s intent to maintain a strong presence across the federation, aligning with the broader political calendar and the expectations of supporters.
Taken together, the available figures paint a picture of a process that blends traditional party structures with new participation channels. The registration totals, the SBO track adjustments, the proportion of unaffiliated candidates, the PolitStart pipeline, and the forthcoming wave of regional campaigns all contribute to a narrative of renewal coupled with continuity. Observers may watch how these elements interact as the primary phase advances, with attention to how many newcomers translate their registration into effective campaigns and how the party balances fresh entrants with a stable base of established members. The upcoming electoral season thus stands as a focal point for assessing organizational resilience, member engagement, and the party’s capacity to mobilize supporters across a diverse set of regions and communities.