On the basis of sociological research data, the author analyzes the socio-demographical composition of different parties’ electorates, their value preferences, dynamics of the sentiments. In contrast to the opinion of those inclined to see practically unlimited possibilities of manipulating electoral behaviour - opinion nowadays popular not only among politicians, but also among scholars,- the author points to noticeable tendencies of the electorate’s differentiation into groups of electors with certain similarity of views and orientations. This process, however complicated and contradictory, can turn Russian multi-party system into unquestionable and significant reality.