Electoral Participation Research Articles

The turnout of Russian voters in the elections in 1997-1998: (based on empirical research)

The article is devoted to one of the key problems of electoral sociology: the level and nature of voter participation in elections of various levels in Russia in 1997-1998. A large number of participants testifies to the involvement of citizens in the activities of the socio-political system, their belief in the possibility of influencing the voting results on real politics.The paper examines the results of sociological studies published in this period, which address the issues of voter turnout. Estimates of the level of citizens' participation in the electoral process, formulated by sociologists and specialists of related scientific disciplines, are also given.The article draws the following conclusions. Sociologists record the development ofatrendcharacteristicofthefirsthalfofthe 1990s.Voterturnoutfortheelections is constantly decreasing. This is most clearly manifested at the grassroots level (elections of heads of cities and municipal deputies), during local referendums. This forces legislators to abandon the "threshold", the elections were considered to have taken place with any number of citizens who showed up at the ballot boxes.On the other hand, there is a revival of electoral activity in some regions and cities, which affects the stabilization and even the growth of turnout. This phenomenon is assessed by sociologists as an increase in civic activity associated with the development of electoral culture, both political forces and ordinary citizens.

Compulsory civic duty and turnout: evidence from a natural experiment

Abstract We study the effect of compulsory civic duty on turnout. We take advantage of a natural experiment in Spain, where electoral officers are selected through a lottery and being an electoral officer is compulsory for those drafted. We analyze whether acting as an officer changes turnout and attitudes in subsequent elections. Our findings show that compulsory civic duty has a strong short-term and positive effect on electoral participation, but has no impact on political attitudes. The positive effect of the civic duty treatment, however, fades after a few months. Our results have implications for theories about civic duty and the formation of political habits.

Substituting the Opposition under Electoral Authoritarianism: The Case of the Russian Regional Parliamentary Elections in 2021

Abstract Political scientists have long known that modern electoral autocracies can use quasi-democratic institutions to neutralize the danger posed by the opposition. Participation in elections by completely controlled spoiler parties proved to be an effective tool for maintaining authoritarian stability. However, researchers know few cases of how aging authoritarian regimes create systemic semi-independent opposition in order to increase turnout and split the votes of the systemic opposition. Based on a database of candidates from single-member districts (SMD) in the 2021 regional parliamentary elections in Russia with more than 2,200 unique observations, we show how the participation of candidates from the newly created New People, Green Alternative, and the Russian Party of Freedom and Justice affected the electoral results of United Russia and two parties of the ‘old’ systemic opposition.

Critical Discourse Analysis on the Podcast “Putusan MK: Palu Hakim Patah Berkeping"

The existence Constitutional Court decision regarding the requirements for registering Candidates for President and Vice President Republic of Indonesia has caused a number of controversies in society today. An issue Gibran Rakabuming Raka, Mayor of Surakarta, will take part in the 2024 Presidential Election as Candidate Vice President. However, the age threshold criterian 40 years is an obstacle for the son of President Joko Widodo. So, this was done by suing the Constitutional Court to revise the criteria for presidential election participants, especially regarding minimum age. This raises big questions regarding President Jokowi's relationship with the political dynasty, which made the controversial phenomenon increasingly discussed by the media. For this reason, this research uses a qualitative descriptive research method using a critical discourse analysis approach modeled by Teun A.Van Dijk analyzing text in Najwa Shihab's podcast with the title "Putusan MK: Palu Hakim Patah Berkeping" with a duration of 27 minutes 36 seconds which was uploaded on October 18, 2023, on Najwa Shihab's Youtube channel. The podcast discussion criticized the judge's decision which was interfered with by political interests. The results of the research show that democratic order is now increasingly shifting to the power held by political elites who are in power so that power they have can change laws and slowly break the spirit of democracy in Indonesia

PERAN PENTING PEMILIH PEMULA DALAM PEMILU 2024

Indonesia is a country whose form of democracy is channeled through the general election system, this general election takes place every five years, where in the election event it has the LUBER JURDIL principle which means direct, general, free, confidential, honest and fair. The low understanding of young people about the importance of the role of first-time voters is the reason for us KKN-T Group 8 Students of the Faculty of Social Sciences, Political Science and Computer Science, Djuanda University to carry out a service program through political socialization. This community service program aims to provide knowledge regarding political education and provide understanding, insight, awareness and interest for young prospective voters, especially Ciawi 1 Public High School students, to exercise their right to vote in elections. This service was carried out using the method of outreach where the resource persons explained material directly regarding the existing theme, namely the important role of first-time voters in the 2024 election to students of SMAN 1 Ciawi. The results of this dedication show that political outreach is useful in increasing participation for prospective novice voters and can increase understanding, insight, and knowledge about the importance of public participation in elections.

Participating and non-participating in Italy. The COVID-19 as a cleavage?

ABSTRACT The COVID-19 pandemic and the Russian invasion of Ukraine have had significant consequences for various aspects of global society, including the relationship between citizens and politics. This article explores how the COVID-19 crisis has impacted civic and political participation in Italy. To investigate this topic and provide insights, the two authors utilize data from the ‘Italians and the State’ survey conducted by the University of Urbino Carlo Bo’s Lapolis, in addition to data from the Ministry of the Interior. The analysis reveals that the decline in electoral participation is part of a long-term trend that remained unaffected by the pandemic. While other forms of participation underwent a predictable drop during the most acute phase of the pandemic, they subsequently showed signs of recovery, indicating a general resurgence of participation in Italy. However, activities conducted exclusively online appear to have reached a plateau. This might suggest a growing disillusionment with the Internet itself among citizens. In conclusion, COVID-19 was not a decisive turning point but rather an event that intersected with existing long-term trends.

FACTORS THAT DETERMINE THE SPECIFICS OF FORMING THE POLITICAL CONSCIOUSNESS OF MILITARY PERSONNEL

The article examines the main factors that determine the specifics of the formation of the political consciousness of military personnel. It is proved that the political consciousness of military personnel is one of the main components of forms of public consciousness, which, as a rule, arises together with the emergence of statehood and political power and is the most general category that characterizes the subjective side of politics as a whole. The stages of formation of political consciousness of military personnel are defined: as obtaining socio-political knowledge in the process of critical understanding of political reality, gradual rationalization of sensory representations, generalization of available information about the political life of society; transformation of acquired knowledge into beliefs, which occurs in the process of socio-political practice; determination based on political beliefs and analysis of one's own experience of the political orientation of the subject, which largely determines political behavior. The factors that determine the specifics of the formation of political consciousness in military personnel are identified and systematized. First of all, an important component of political consciousness is such a moral and ethical category as "defense of the Fatherland"; the next factor is the status of military personnel; the specifics of military labor; high requirements for the professional status of military personnel in combination with the regulated nature of their work; the isolation of the social and professional group of military personnel; material factors; mass media; the desire to obtain information. It is proved that a serviceman is a citizen of his country, a member of a military collective, so he is more or less involved in socio-political activities: participation in elections, in the discussion of the most important documents of the state, personnel fees, etc. This is an important area of military service, where the process of forming the political consciousness of military personnel, especially his socio-political qualities, takes place.

Analysis of Indonesian Malay Cultural Assembly Participation in the 2018 Election of Regional Heads of Batubara Regency

This study aims to analyze the participation of the Indonesian Malay cultural adat assembly in the regional head elections in Batubara district in 2018. The Malay Cultural Customary Council is an organization or institution that aims to defend, promote and preserve Malay customs and culture. As part of the people who vote in the Pilkada (Regional Head Election) in Batu Bara Regency, of course, their participation is expected. However, the extent of participation in the regional head election in Batubara district in 2018. This research uses a qualitative research type method with a descriptive method, namely collecting descriptive data for further analysis from the case study. Data collection was carried out by means of interviews, document analysis, observation and literature study. The results of the study show that the factors that influence the participation of the Indonesian Malay Cultural Council Organization in Batu Bara Regency include: First, the political awareness of the people regarding their rights and obligations in the 2018 Pilkada is only limited to understanding, without being accompanied by controlling the course of the 2018 Pilkada and exercising their right to vote. Second, the low level of public trust in the government and candidates, which includes a track record and vision and mission, greatly affects the people not to exercise their right to vote. Third, the social status and economic status of the upper middle and lower middle class do not make voting a priority due to the focus on the work of the majority of fishermen and entrepreneurs.

Application Of Vikor Method To Determine The Location Of Election And Election Care Villages

General elections are the core of the democratic process which involves active community participation. In order to realize optimal participation, it is necessary to make efforts to increase public awareness and participation in elections and elections. One effective way is to identify strategic locations to implement the "Village Care for Elections and Elections" program. This study aims to apply the VIKOR method (VlseKriterijumska Optimizacija I Kompromisno Resenje) in determining the optimal location for the program. The VIKOR method is used as an analytical tool in considering several relevant criteria, such as the level of previous participation, the level of political awareness, the accessibility of the location, and the level of local government support. These data are evaluated and analyzed to assign a ranking to each potential location. Application steps include data collection, normalization, calculating VIKOR scores, and determining ranking. The results of this research provide clear guidance in determining the most suitable location for the "Election and Election Care Village" program. The selected location is the result of a compromise that considers all relevant criteria. It is hoped that the results of this research can become a basis for local governments or related institutions to allocate resources more effectively in order to increase people's participation in the democratic process.

Does Gender Based Representation Matters in Fostering Political Inclusion of Women in Local Governments? A Case of India

How does the legally established gender quota in local self-government bodies affect the level of representation of women in power? How does the representation of women in power increase effective political participation? Previous studies were devoted to studying the consequences of gender quotas in the authorities and management, but the issue of the model of gender political participation remained neglected. The introduction of gender quotas as a mechanism for ensuring equal rights and opportunities for women in politics and the decision-making process increases women’s political participation and political leadership. The success or failure of planning and decision-making largely depends on the level of political participation. The issues of this work correspond to Goal 5 of Sustainable Development, which provides equal opportunities for women’s leadership at all levels of decision-making in political, economic and public life. The paper analyzes the representation of women in the authorities and management in different regions of the world. The study’s main goal is to determine the relationship between the representation of women in rural local self-government bodies and the consequences of this representation. The data sources were the results of local elections, reports of government ministries and agencies, United Nations reports on gender equality and the empowerment of women, as well as surveys of women representatives of political power in three Indian states (Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra ) — state election data analyzed over the past three decades. The results of this study show that the level of female representation increases annually, although this is not entirely related to political participation. Women’s electoral participation indicates that despite growing women’s participation in local elections, the expression remains unchanged within the established gender quota of 33 to 50 percent. Addressing the gender imbalance in the political environment of three states in India is a result of the introduction and enforcement of gender quotas in politics. The results of this study have practical value for local self-government bodies when developing state gender policy.

Political Participation of the Millennial Generation in General Elections: The Influence of Education, Social Media, and Economic Factors

The Millennial generation, comprising individuals born between the early 1980s and mid-1990s, represents a significant demographic group with the potential to shape the political landscape. This research investigates the multifaceted determinants of Millennial political participation in general elections, seeking to unravel the complexities that drive or hinder their engagement in the democratic process. Employing a mixed-methods approach encompassing surveys and interviews, this study examines key factors influencing Millennial political behavior. The research findings reveal several pivotal insights; Firstly, education emerges as a critical catalyst for Millennial political participation, emphasizing the importance of civic education programs in nurturing political awareness. Secondly, social media platforms, such as Twitter and Facebook, have assumed a transformative role, serving as potent tools for information dissemination, mobilization, and interactive political discourse. Thirdly, economic challenges, notably student loan debt and economic insecurity, persist as formidable barriers, necessitating targeted policies to alleviate these concerns and encourage political engagement. Fourthly, trust in political institutions emerges as a motivating factor, highlighting the significance of transparency and accountability in enhancing Millennial voter turnout. Lastly, non-electoral civic activities, including volunteering and community service, serve as precursors to broader political involvement, underscoring the value of encouraging civic engagement. The implications drawn from these findings reverberate through the realms of policy, political strategy, and societal empowerment. Recommendations include investments in civic education, leveraging social media for political outreach, addressing economic disparities, and fostering civic engagement. As Millennial political participation continues to evolve, this research underscores the importance of empirical analysis in informing effective strategies and policies. It serves as a clarion call for collective action, urging stakeholders across academia, politics, and civil society to empower Millennials as active and informed participants in the democratic process. This research contributes not only to academic knowledge but also to the practical endeavor of strengthening democratic foundations, ensuring that the voices of Millennials resonate within the corridors of governance, and shaping the trajectory of our collective political future

THE POWER OF POLITICAL INVESTORS IN THE VILLAGE HEAD ELECTION IN MADURA

Democracy in Indonesia is much broader than democracy in developed countries such as America and Europe. This can be seen from the democracy practiced in Indonesia down to the village level. Village head elections have been carried out directly for generations. Public participation in the village head election is also the highest of all existing contestations. Political participation of village residents continues to grow. One form of participation that brings problems is the involvement of political funders known as political investors in village head elections. This research was conducted to determine the role of political investors in village head elections in Sumenep, Madura, East Java. The research used descriptive qualitative methods and data collection techniques using in-depth interviews with informants who were directly involved in village head election activities. In addition, document searches were carried out regarding activities related to the election of village heads and the relationship between village head candidates and political investors. This research reveals the important role of investors in winning village head candidates. Political investors receive compensation for the funding provided, in the form of positions for families in village governments that have been funded. Apart from that, political investors receive economic benefits in the form of village projects and village land management rights. This research has limitations at the location scale, which only covers three villages in Sumenep Regency, Madura.

Marginalized, but not demobilized: Ethnic minority protest activity when facing discrimination.

In a context of backlash against diversity in many countries, we know little about how ethnic minorities respond politically when they personally experience discrimination. Moving beyond the study of electoral participation, this research investigates whether experiences of discrimination push ethnic minorities toward an alternate political pathway for those who feel sidelined by the political community: protest activity. The study also examines whether the context of discrimination (i.e. public or private sphere) has different consequences for protest participation, and whether intragroup contact enhances the effects of discrimination on protest participation. Relying on a survey of 1647 respondents from racialized backgrounds in Canada, our findings indicate that discriminatory experiences increase participation in protest activities irrespective of its context, and that the positive relationship between discriminatory experiences and protest activity is stronger among respondents with greater intragroup contact.

LIMITATIONS ON THE RETROACTIVE VALIDITY OF MATERIAL CONTENT OF LAWS AND REGULATIONS IN INDONESIA (JURIDICAL STUDY OF THE GENERAL ELECTION COMMISSION REGULATION NUMBER 26 OF 2018 IN THE 2019 GENERAL ELECTION OF MEMBERS OF THE REGULATION REPRESENTATIVE COUNCIL)

Article 28I paragraph (1) of the 1945 Constitution which contains provisions on the principle of non-retroactivity and Article 1 paragraph (1) of the Criminal Code which contains provisions on the principle of legality, stipulates that retroactive application of material contained in laws and regulations is not permitted. In fact, there are still laws and regulations that are retroactively enforced, such as KPU Regulation Number 26 of 2018 against participants in the 2019 DPD election. Even though its implementation raises problems for election participants, the regulation remains valid and valid. The purpose of this study is to analyze the limitations of retroactive provisions on the material content of statutory regulations in KPU Regulation Number 26 of 2018. This research is a normative legal research by conducting a review of KPU Regulation Number 26 of 2018. The problem approach used is the statutory regulation approach, and the case approach. The results of the study concluded that the contents of the retroactively enforced laws and regulations are still valid and valid as KPU Regulation Number 26 of 2018. However, retroactive provisions must be regulated in a law and if they contain criminal provisions, the criminal provisions are not enforced.

The Transformation of Arab Politics and Arab Voter Behavior in Israeli Elections (1999-2009)

This article delves into the transformative decade between 1999 and 2009, exploring the intricate web of Jewish-Arab relations in Israel and the consequential impact of Jewish-Arab tensions on Arab politics and Arab voter behavior in Israeli elections. During this decade, internal factors, such as generational shift, leadership changes, and political pluralism, played a pivotal role in reshaping the societal landscape in the Arab sector. On the other hand, external factors, including the collapse of the Israeli-Palestinian reconciliation process and the eruption of the Second Intifada, intensified the predicament of Israeli citizens of Arab origin, amplifying their national identity dilemma. The primary objective of this study is to analyze voting patterns within the Arab sector during the elections of 1999, 2001, 2003, 2006, and 2009, thereby highlighting the profound political implications of the Jewish-Arab tensions on Arab political engagement and voting behaviors. By doing so, this research provides insights into the changing patterns of Arab votes and their impact on the broader political landscape of Israel. The findings reveal that the growing social marginalization and disconnection from the Jewish sector significantly influenced the Arab sector's electoral participation. This period witnessed a decline in Arab voter turnout and a shift in support from left-wing Jewish-Zionist parties to Arab parties, paradoxically contributing to the electoral performances of both Arab parties and right-wing Jewish-Zionist parties.

Electoral Integrity and Turnout in a Context of Violence at the Sub‐National Level in Mexico, 2015–2018

In this article, we analyse the effect of electoral integrity on electoral participation in violent contexts. Using data from Local Electoral Authorities on electoral results, Electoral Integrity rates, and the Peace Index, we develop an exploratory analysis for sub‐national elections in Mexico, in the 2015–2018 period. We conclude that, when elections are characterised by a high level of integrity, the negative impact of violence on turnout lessens, or almost disappears. By doing this, we contribute to the existing literature about the effects of violence on turnout at the sub‐national level and to the studies on electoral integrity.

Особенности, тенденции и факторы развития различных форм осуществления населением местного самоуправления в регионах Европейского Севера России

The goal of this article is to study the features and trends in the development of various forms of local governance in Russia, with a particular focus on the regions falling within the European North of Russia (ENR). To achieve this goal, a combination of general research methods (analysis, synthesis, generalization, case study) and applied methods (such as grouping analysis, economic and statistical analysis, and sociological research methods) were used. The study relies on official statistics from Rosstat, reports from the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation, election and referendum data from the Vybory (Elections) system, and the results of questionnaire surveys of municipal leaders in the Vologda Oblast conducted from 2007 to 2022. The scientific novelty of the study lies in its assessment of the influence of various factors (territorial urbanization level and overall municipal development) on the nuances of residents' electoral participation from 2018 to 2022, using ENR municipalities as a case study. The research revealed that elections lacking a legally established voter turnout threshold witnessed notably low voter participation rates (ranging from 28 % to 41 % in the elections of senior officials of ENR regions from 2019 to 2022, 40% to 46% in the elections of State Duma deputies in 2021, and 8% to 71% in the elections of rural settlement heads). In most cases, municipalities with predominantly rural populations demonstrated higher election turnout rates and stronger support for winning candidates, a pattern that also holds in low-development areas within the Vologda Oblast. The article also discusses how local governors in the Vologda Oblast assess civil engagement from 2012 to 2022 and offers recommendations for regional-level monitoring of diverse forms of population involvement in territorial development, with an emphasis on local public governance.

Empowerment of Scheduled Castes in India: An Impact Assessment Study of Haryana Panchayati Raj (Amendment) Act, 2015

Caste-based social stratification is strong in India. Scheduled Castes (SCs) are weaker section of the society facing multiple inequities and discrimination in India. The state of Haryana has enacted Panchayati Raj (Amendment) Act, 2015, by which educational qualifications have been made mandatory to fight Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) elections since 2016. Based on secondary data collected from the Haryana Panchayati Raj Institutions Election Reports for the year 2010 and 2016, the study reveals that the share of elected SC PRIs increased from 22.94% in 2010 to 25.39% in 2016, after the introduction of educational qualifications for the PRIs election. Empowerment has been gauged on account of extra seats SCs have won than the seats reserved. SC PRIs empowerment composite score increased from 71.07 in 2010 to 116.55 in 2016. Mewat district had low educational level among rural SCs recorded highest PRIs empowerment index. The study highlights that the SCs, particularly of Panchkula, Kaithal, Sonipat and Jind districts require some motivational support to encourage their participation in PRIs elections.

Electoral suffrage between legitimate rights and national rights (Malaysia as a model)

Islamic political scholars have determined that Islamic legislation has a unique system and specific methods for selecting rulers. This system is subject to established religious mechanisms, criteria, and conditions. This Islamic system was clearly evident during the establishment of the Islamic state, particularly after the passing of the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him. Consultation (shura) was employed among Muslims to choose a caliph, and no one was appointed as a ruler after him. This study aims to highlight the principles of Islamic politics through analyzing Quranic and Prophetic texts, examining the foundations of general and specific religious rulings, and applying them to the Malaysian elections as a model. The significance of the topic lies in the importance of transparency and integrity in presidential and parliamentary elections and their consequential effects. The researcher employed various methods including extrapolation, analysis, comparison, and conclusion. The researcher concluded that the Islamic political system has distinct electoral criteria that set it apart from global constitutions, and Islamic law attaches significant importance to electoral participation. Participation is both a religious and constitutional obligation for those qualified to take part in elections.

Types of Public Participation and Their Effect on Satisfaction with Local Public Services in China

Satisfaction with public services is an important index of their quality and an effective way to promote political legitimacy in China. This article empirically examines how three types of public participation contribute to citizens’ satisfaction with public services in China, with special attention to the moderating role of political trust. Using data from 6,089 respondents in a survey conducted in 2020, I find that government-led discussions and nonpolitical participation have a positive effect on public service satisfaction, whereas grass-roots election participation has no statistically significant effect. Participation efficacy, political trust, policy transparency, and unfair treatment are potential factors affecting residents’ satisfaction with public services. In these correlations, political trust has a significant moderating effect. When political trust is weak, the influence of participation on public service satisfaction is null or negative; with greater trust, the negative correlation is mitigated.