Political participation and civic consciousness: A qualitative examination of the 2019–2024 local elections in Yalova

Authors : Alper Kasımoğlu

Pages : 528-544

Doi:10.51177/kayusosder.1761455

View : 63 | Download : 133

Publication Date : 2025-12-31

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :This study comparatively analyses the 2019 and 2024 local elections in the city of Yalova in terms of political participation and civic consciousness. Employing a qualitative research design, data were gathered through semi structured interviews and analysed using thematic analysis. The study addresses two central issues: the decline in voter turnout and changes in citizens’ perceptions of democratic participation and responsibility. Voter turnout in the local elections decreased from 78.4% in 2019 to 68.7% in 2024. The findings suggest that this decline is associated with an evolution in civic consciousness—particularly among young voters—towards a more critical orientation and heightened expectations for active engagement. These results offer important insights into the transformation of local democratic processes in small and medium sized cities and into shifts in citizens’ participatory orientations. Accordingly, the article aims to make an empirical contribution to the literature on local democracy by foregrounding the qualitative dimensions of political participation and civic consciousness.
Keywords : Siyasal katılım, Yurttaşlık bilinci, Yerel seçimler, Yalova

ORIGINAL ARTICLE URL