The July pre-election study examined in detail the respondents' interest in political information. This study also investigated the respondents' perceptions of the ability of the SPD and CDU/CSU to deal with a set of issues currently facing the Federal Republic such as: German reunification, foreign relations with the East and West, economic and education policy, and other foreign and domestic issues. The survey also included scalometers which were used in evaluating the major political figures of 1961 and the three major political parties. Other questions dealt with the perceived partisan leanings of various social groups and the respondents' anticipated voting behavior in the 1961 election and expectations about the election outcome. Further questions measured the respondents' long-term voting histories. Interviews were conducted with a national area probability sample of citizens of the Federal Republic, including West Berlin, who were over fifteen years of age. The interviews were conducted in July, 1961, prior to the federal election.