To Vote or Not to Vote: Students’ Perceptions and Attitudes Towards National and Local Elections in New Zealand

Abstract

Youth voter turnout has continued to decline for the past fifty years both internationally and in New Zealand. While attempts to explain this decline have been numerous, the theories of voter turnout focus heavily on national elections rather than local elections. Under a social constructivist framework, this research uses focus groups to compare student perceptions and attitudes towards voting in national and local elections to better understand what drives non-voting behaviour in local elections. This thesis argues that a lack of information, a high degree of transience, and a negative perception of the community all appeared to deter students from voting in local elections. Furthermore, parental influence has a positive effect on their offspring’s voting behaviour and is able to override voting inhibitors.