ABSTRACT The electoral effects of natural disasters have gained increasing importance in recent research. This paper analyzes the impact of an unprecedentedly strong tornado on the electoral results of coalition government parties in the 2021 Czech general election. We find a positive effect on support for the main governing party, ANO, which played a leading role in the disaster relief program. However, the smaller incumbent party, ČSSD, which had less involvement in relief policies, did not experience a similar electoral advantage. Our study suggests that the electoral impact of disasters varies among coalition parties.

ABSTRACT Research on immigrant voting has typically focused on broad ethnic categories, leaving the role of country of origin insufficiently explored. This study examines how national origin influences immigrants’ voting preferences. Using a sample of 3,235 ethnic Chinese New Zealanders from the 2020 Vote Compass pre-election survey, the analysis identifies two key findings. First, ethnic Chinese do not vote as a cohesive bloc. Instead, their voting behaviour varies significantly by country or region of origin. Second, formative sociopolitical experiences in origin countries produce enduring attitudinal legacies. People who encountered resource scarcity and inequality while pursuing upward mobility tend to value status stability and social order, which predicts conservative voting in New Zealand. These findings point to a long-lasting origin effect consistent with theories of attitudinal inertia. This origin effect fosters greater continuity than change in immigrant voting behaviour, at least within some national and historical contexts.

Abstract Despite Latino Americans’ consistent support for the Democratic Party over the last five decades, the number of Latino Americans who voted for Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential election grew by 10% compared to the 2020 election. What ideological and sociodemographic factors apart from ethnic identity may have influenced their voting behavior in the 2024 Presidential Election? Although previous work has demonstrated a person's Latino identity strength can influence their political behavior, Latino Americans hold other ideologies and sociodemographic factors that may influence their voting. Here, 186 Mexican Americans (the Latino group that voted the most for Harris) and 176 Cuban Americans (the Latino group that voted the most for Trump) participants completed measures of ethnic identity, acculturation, Latino‐specific gender norms, conservatism, traditionalism, income, and religiosity among others. Across all participants, having higher levels of traditionalism was the most consistent predictor of voting for Trump over Harris. Voting for Trump over Harris was associated with higher levels of machismo (i.e., gender norms about men common in Latin American societies) only in Mexican Americans, whereas voting for Trump over Harris was associated with having a higher income only in Cuban Americans. These results suggest there are multiple, distinct ideologies and sociodemographic factors in Latino voters that influence their political preferences, rationales, and voting behavior.

The Supreme Court has recently delivered big wins for conservatives on issues such as guns, abortion, and campaign finance. In many well-known cases in the Court’s history, however, various justices have cast votes that split the difference between conservative and liberal positions. This paper develops the first systematic measure of “difference-splitting votes” at the Supreme Court and considers what predicts this voting behavior. I find that these votes have declined as the Court’s docket has shrunk. Not all justices are inclined to cast these votes: justices who are more conscientious and less extreme are more likely to engage in difference-splitting. Justices are also more likely to cast these votes in salient cases. By understanding these votes, we can learn more about how jurists craft nuanced legal outcomes and the ways justices can send signals to other actors through their voting behavior.

ABSTRACT How does an economic crisis affect electoral turnout in authoritarian regimes? The paper examines the impact of economic crisis on political participation by studying Iran's post‐Pandemic era. The statistical analysis of the public opinion polls indicates that a crisis of representation intervened between economic hardship and the unprecedented decline in voter turnout in Iran's 2021 presidential election. In this environment, the failure of political factions to address the economic hardship discredited the political establishment in Iran and transformed the pattern of political participation. This setting caused an unprecedented decline in the voters’ turnout and led citizens to resort to street protest as an alternative means of political participation. The paper further demonstrates the role of socioeconomic status in shaping voting behavior. The statistical analysis indicated that middle‐income citizens are less likely to vote which aligns with the existing studies about the impact of sanctions on household expenditure in Iran. An overview of electoral mobilization sheds light on the findings of the statistical analysis by illuminating the shift in participation mode. This review demonstrates that electoral mobilization through youth campaigns transformed into street protests and strikes led by youth, teachers, and industrial workers. The findings of the paper suggest a new mechanism in which economic crisis affects political participation in authoritarian regimes.

ABSTRACT Referendums can democratically empower citizens, but the dominant binary design is criticised for inadequately representing voters’ genuine preferences. Multi-option referendums offer an alternative format, presenting voters with more options. However, their potential advantages and challenges have rarely been subjected to empirical verification. We also have scarce evidence on whether the applied voting procedure affects voting behaviour and outcomes, potentially impacting the accuracy of preference representation. In this study, we compare voting behaviour under binary and multi-option designs and between various multi-option ballot designs. Multi-option referendum ballots follow two main designs: (1) a single question presenting multiple proposals, and (2) a series of binary questions on competing proposals. Using data from a survey experiment in the Netherlands, this article tests to what extent different ballot question structures affect the manifestations of status quo voting, order effects and voting inconsistencies. We find that when respondents vote on multiple proposals, either simultaneously or sequentially, status quo voting diminishes compared to a binary choice set. We find no statistically significant order effects and observe high levels of consistent voting in all multi-option formats. These findings suggest that multi-option referendums can provide a constructive alternative to the dominant binary referendum format in representing voter preferences.

This study aims to analyze the visual representation of the Prabowo–Gibran in the digital campaign in the 2024 Presidential Election, especially those using AI-generated content, and their relationship to changes in the voting behavior of young voters. As is known, 60% of voters in the 2024 Presidential Election were Gen Z, and Gen Z is a generation that really sees or makes decisions based on visual considerations or considerations. In addition, with the increasing use of AI technology in creating campaign content, this study aims to explore how visuals generated by AI can influence the political perceptions of young voters. The approach used in this study is qualitative, using Roland Barthes' semiotic theory, voting behavior theory, and social judgment theory as an analytical framework. This study uses visual content analysis of various types of content generated using AI technology, such as videos, images, and memes of the Prabowo–Gibran campaign that are seen on below-the-line and above-the-line communication channels.

The research studies the impact of social media consumption on the voting behavior of first-time voters during the U.S. presidential elections. With the development of main sources of political communication – such as Facebook, Twitter and Reddit – this paper explores how political awareness, social influence and voting incentives are shaped by mentioned digital platforms among first-time voters. The purpose of this paper is to conduct an elaborative data analysis on the correlation between social media activity and voting preferences, particularly determining the predictive effect of different engagement levels on the choice of a political candidate. The scientific significance of the paper includes quantification of social media engagement’s impact on voting behavior and showcasing its statistical image, which enriches the area of political communication. The paper’s practical significance consists of producing insights for political strategists, journalists and civic educators about digital mobilization strategies, which can contribute to the development of political campaigns on social media platforms. The study adopts a quantitative methodology utilizing the American National Election Studies 2020 dataset, also by applying regression analysis to explore the correlation between social media habits (frequency and political posting) and voting behavior among first-time voters. Results showed positive correlation between active usage of Twitter/Reddit and voting for the Democratic candidate, while Facebook usage, in contrast, indicated a nonsignificant influence. The value of the study is to facilitate the understanding of digital political socialization and to generate empirical evidence of how online engagement reflects electoral outcomes. Practical value of the results presents guidance for potential digital campaign strategies and civic engagement programs.

Abstract Redistricting plays a critical role in structuring the competitive terrain of American elections and shaping the quality of democratic representation. While often viewed as a routine administrative task, the redrawing of electoral boundaries is a deeply political process that can significantly influence who runs for office, who wins, and how voters are represented. This article examines the relationship between redistricting and electoral competition, with a particular focus on how partisan gerrymandering, legal rulings, and institutional reforms have influenced the fairness and integrity of the redistricting process. Tracing its historical roots and evolution, the analysis explores how legislatures, courts, and independent commissions construct district maps and the downstream effects these configurations have on incumbent entrenchment, voter behavior, and partisan polarization. By investigating the trade-offs between fair representation and competitive elections, this article illuminates how institutional design choices shape electoral outcomes and democratic legitimacy. In doing so, it underscores the enduring significance of redistricting as a source of political contestation and reform in the ongoing struggle to strengthen American democracy.

Media Literacy of Selangor Youth in Political Participation in Malaysia Proficiency in media literacy is essential to enable the younger generation to critically assess and comprehend information disseminated through various media platforms. Furthermore, mastery of media literacy plays a vital role as it can enhance youth engagement in political activities, whether through digital or traditional means. Adolescents demonstrate lower participation rates in traditional political engagement, including voter registration, and tend to be highly susceptible to contemporary political narratives propagated via social media channels. These factors consequently influence their voting behaviour. This research seeks to identify the media channels utilised by adolescents for acquiring political information and to assess their media literacy levels in relation to political message comprehension, drawing upon Potter's cognitive theoretical framework, while also examining the correlation between Selangor youths' media literacy competencies and their inclination towards political participation in Malaysia. This investigation employed a quantitative methodology through the dissemination of web-based survey instruments to a sample of 385 participants aged between 16 and 20 years. Research findings reveal that young people predominantly utilise social networking platforms to access information pertaining to political affairs. Meanwhile, the media literacy proficiency among Selangor's youth population registers at a moderately elevated level, yet their disposition towards active engagement in Malaysia's political landscape remains comparatively minimal. Key stakeholders including the Ministry of Education Malaysia, Ministry of Youth and Sports, alongside parental guidance, play pivotal roles in cultivating and motivating youth participation in the nation's political processes. Keywords: Media literacy, youth, politics, social media, political participation.

Factors in Social Media Use During Campaigning in the Klang Valley Election The global community has become synonymous with and interested in the use of online communication platforms and social media as the main sources for obtaining political information and news to be disseminated and shared during election campaigns. Meanwhile, conventional mainstream media has received less attention from the surrounding society and voters. Mainstream media is monopolized by the government and ruling parties, who broadcast and publish their information and news through broadcasting and print platforms to be disseminated to the public and voters in order to gain their support. Opposition political parties are unable to utilize mainstream media platforms during election campaigns to share information and express criticism of the government's shortcomings in addressing the hardships and difficulties faced by the people. The dissemination and sharing of hot issue content and negative comments through social media platforms have effects and implications that can influence the mindset and thinking of the public and voters in choosing their political party candidates. This study aims to identify the factors behind the use of social media during election campaigns by examining the relationship between social media and voter behaviour. It was conducted through a quantitative approach by distributing survey questionnaires to respondents around the Klang Valley using research instruments. The results of the analysis on social media usage identified, through the theoretical framework of political party information sources, that elements of incitement, slander, propaganda, and provocation can influence the thinking and mindset of the public and voters. Keywords: Social media, source of information, political party blogs, partisan sentiment, voter.

This article examines how social media and digital channels are related to information behavior and voting among young voters (aged 18–30) during the 2025 German federal election. Based on an online survey (n = 673) conducted after the election among participants from southwest Germany and three diverse educational backgrounds, our exploratory study found no overarching generational effect in social media use or political socialization. Instagram emerged as the most important platform for political information. TikTok played a limited role overall; however, the Left Party was the only party able to gain visible support from it. In contrast, voters of the radical right Alternative for Germany (AfD) often reported receiving political content via private messenger groups, highlighting the role of non-public channels in political communication. Concerning vote choice, we find that it depends on the platform to what extent a party can benefit from digital campaigning, e.g., the Left Party benefits from frequent TikTok usage, while YouTube correlates with voting for the Greens, and messenger usage with voting for the AfD. The findings, therefore, suggest a more professionalized and targeted approach to digital campaigning, with specific parties reaching distinct voter groups through tailored platform strategies.

This study aims to examine the factors influencing voter decision-making among first-time voters in the 2024 regional head elections in the Riau Islands Province. Employing a quantitative research design, the study utilizes survey methods through questionnaires distributed to 100 respondents selected using purposive sampling. The research investigates five key variables: Attitude Toward the Behavior, Subjective Norms, Perceived Behavioral Control, Social Media Political Marketing Activity, and Negative Political Advertising. Data collection was conducted using a Likert-scale questionnaire, and the data were analyzed using SPSS version 25. Hypothesis testing was carried out through both partial and simultaneous regression analyses. The results indicate that all five independent variables significantly affect the voting decisions of first-time voters, suggesting that individual beliefs, social expectations, perceived ease of performing the behavior, online political engagement, and exposure to negative campaigning all play substantial roles in shaping voter behavior. These findings underscore the importance of strategic communication and ethical political engagement tailored to the youth demographic. For policymakers and campaign teams, understanding these determinants can support more inclusive and effective approaches to encourage political participation among young voters in regional elections, particularly in geographically dispersed areas like the Riau Islands.

This article examines the impact of social media on the organization of election campaigns, political communication, and democratic participation in the digital era. The study demonstrates that digitalization has established a new paradigm of political communication, allowing for analytical management of voter behavior and the personalization of campaigns. Social networks have evolved from mere information tools into strategic platforms for political mobilization and public opinion formation. Using empirical examples from the United States (2016, 2020), Turkey (2023), and the European Union (2024) elections, the paper analyzes the mechanisms of influence, algorithmic targeting, microtargeting, and the effects of disinformation on political outcomes. Findings indicate that social media simultaneously fulfills communicative, analytical, and mobilizing functions, enhancing the quality of democratic participation. However, these advantages are accompanied by ethical and legal risks such as data manipulation, algorithmic bias, and misuse of personal information. Consequently, the regulation of social media, the strengthening of ethical responsibility, and the establishment of transparency mechanisms are essential for ensuring the integrity of the electoral process in the digital political landscape.

The article examines the specifics of electoral behavior and preferences of voters in the Kalevalskiy District of the Republic of Karelia from the moment it was included in the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation in 2015 until the 2024 presidential elections. The author points out that, despite increased re-search interest in the Arctic national territory, electoral practices and the will of voters are not given due attention, while they allow to identify not only the value preferences of the electorate, but also to localize existing problems in the area that require measures to be taken to resolve them. The paper studies the election participation behavior of the residents of the Kalevalskiy District at the federal, regional and local levels in comparison with the population of the Republic of Karelia and its Arctic territories. The paper establishes the values of voter turnout, the indicator of protest potential in relation to the degree of elections’ alternativeness. The author also analyzes the role of political powers that traditionally participate in the elections and their influence on the voting preferences of residents of the Arctic Karelian border region. As a result of the study, a model of the typical voter in the Kalevalskiy District is created (in terms of demographic structure, it is predominantly a person older than working age, not inclined to protest, with an established system of values, and diligent civic participation in elections at various levels) that determines voting behavior and preferences. Using a neo-endogenous approach and identifying the cleavages structures based on multifactor analysis, a pattern of the Arctic national region of the Russian Arctic was constructed as a possible case for future comparative researching of national territories of the Arctic zone.

Introduction The year 1993 marks the transition from the First to the Second Italian Republic—a moment of profound political, economic, and social transformation that clearly divides the 1990s into a “before” and an “after.” At the centre of this shift is Law No. 81, which introduced the direct election of mayors and became a cornerstone of a paradigmatic change in local governance. Thirty years later, this article seeks to take stock of the transformations that have taken place over this period, offering a longitudinal analysis of electoral behaviour and political participation in the city of Rome. Methods The study draws on data provided by the Ministry of the Interior and the City of Rome. These data concern voting behaviour and electoral turnout from the 1990s to the present. They also cover the political spectrum (coalitions, lists, and parties), the role of the mayor, and the composition of the city council, with particular attention to the presence of women and the socio-political characteristics of the municipal—and by extension, administrative—classes. Results The study focuses on the nature of electoral competition and the evolution of political power across successive electoral cycles. It pays particular attention to the succession of mayors, the dynamics of their popular support, and how this support has been redefined, reshaped, and reduced over time. The analysis also examines changes in the political class, the composition of the city council and executive bodies, and how today’s “Roman politician” differs from that of the 1990s, including in terms of gender representation. Finally, the article reflects on the structure and legacy of Law No. 81, acknowledging its role in reshaping local government, but also questioning the current strength of its founding pact—namely, the one between citizens and the mayor. Discussion The study reveals a marked decline in voter turnout and a progressive erosion of popular support for the mayor. This trend points back to Law No. 81, which—although initially heralded as revolutionary for local governance—now appears somewhat outdated, or at least in need of revision. The founding “citizen–mayor pact” is increasingly fragile, and may be approaching an irreversible decline.

Social media has reshaped political communication, creating new opportunities and challenges for engaging younger generations. Despite its growing role in electoral campaigns, little is known about how digital political marketing influences the voting behavior of young voters in Portugal. This group is particularly relevant as it is both highly digitalized and politically volatile. Existing research highlights authenticity, legitimacy, and engagement as key drivers of voter trust, yet their combined effect on voting intentions remains underexplored. This study examines how perceived authenticity, perceived legitimacy, engagement, and the importance attributed to voting influence voting intentions among Portuguese voters aged 18–30. An online survey was conducted with 278 respondents, and data were analyzed using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). Results show that perceived authenticity significantly enhances perceptions of legitimacy, while engagement levels and the importance of voting are strong predictors of voting intentions. These findings highlight the nuanced interplay between digital political communication and electoral decision-making. The study contributes to political marketing theory by clarifying how social media communication shapes young voters’ attitudes and behaviors, while also providing practical guidance for political actors seeking to design effective strategies to mobilize youth participation.

The 2024 Indonesian presidential election was dominated by young voters, with Millennials and Generation Z comprising more than half of the electorate and thus becoming decisive actors in electoral democracy. This study examines the influence of social media and interpersonal communication on their voting behavior using a mixed-methods explanatory sequential design that combined a national survey of 1,200 respondents with Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) across seven provinces. Regression analysis confirms that social media—particularly WhatsApp, YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram—significantly shapes political preferences, with Generation Z more influenced by digital narratives while Millennials tend to validate information through face-to-face discussions. Qualitative findings highlight that interpersonal communication remains essential for clarification and reinforcement of political decisions. The integration of both channels creates a complementary ecosystem in which social media provides broad reach, while interpersonal exchanges strengthen legitimacy. The study concludes that effective political communication strategies must combine the immediacy of digital media with the depth of participatory interpersonal engagement.

The patriarchal grasp rooted in Pakistani society has been overpowering women. It is a consequence of the patriarchal embedment in social structures of Pakistan that ranked it 145th in the global gender gap index among 146. This study aimed to observe the patriarchal grasp overthe political behaviors of women. The researchers used a case study research design. A total of 30 participants were interviewed, including both men and women, through an interview guide with the help of a purposive sampling technique. The analysis was done using the thematic analysis technique. The themes were political association, the extent of participation, political awareness, opinion-building, and decision-making. These significant themes collectively underpin women's voting behavior. It also explored the socially fenced barriers women face to practice their civic rights in the political arena.

The electoral system currently used in Indonesia has not been able to simplify the party system, and has not changed the behavior of political parties and voter behavior. This will be an obstacle to building the effectiveness of presidential government in Indonesia. Based on these conditions, it is necessary to evaluate the electoral system. In this article, we will discuss the design of the electoral system according to Law Number 7 of 2017 and the obstacles to building a presidential government in Indonesia. For this purpose, the approach used is the Rational Choice Institutionalism (RCI) approach. This approach departs from the view that a series of formal provisions in the form of requirements and procedures will change the behavior of politicians and voters if accompanied by incentives and disincentives. These formal provisions provide incentives for those who implement them and disincentives for those who do not implement them (rule matter). The type of research used is a literature review, which reviews summaries of thoughts from several library sources to develop understanding and theory about the electoral system and its elements, then carries out an analysis of Law Number 7 of 2017. The results of this research show that the design of the electoral system, In the democratic electoral system in Indonesia, it cannot guarantee the effectiveness of government. Keywords: election system design; effectiveness of presidential government; Indonesia.