The paper discusses how online surveys can be utilized in empirical research on parliaments and parliamentarians. Empirically, the paper is based on a survey among candidates from major parties running for a seat (Direktmandat) in the Northrhine-Westphalian state election that took place on May 22, 2005. 512 candidates were running in this election. Due to extensive research it was possible to contact more than 90 per cent of them by e-mail. Of those, about 45 per cent took part in our survey, which substantially covered the role the Internet plays in election campaigns. Further research shows that the sample of participants is quite representative for the population as a whole. There are only minor differences in terms of sex, age, MP status or IT skills between respondents and non-respondents. In a nutshell, it can be concluded that online surveys can become part of researchers’ tool box when studying parliaments and parliamentarians.