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JOURNAL OF YOUTH RESEARCHES
A Research About the Youngs’ Voting Behavior in Local Elections: The Case of 2009, Ankara Metropolitan Municipality Election
Research Model and Sample Selection
In this study, independent variables that affect the voting behaviors of young voters in ge-
neral are the service experience and projects of the candidate, the feasibility of the promi-
se of the candidate and the party, the effect of mass media, the effect of family and close
friends. Since the data of Damlapınar and Balcı (2014) were used as the research model,
the general screening model was used. Comparative relational screening was performed
between the dependent and independent variables mentioned above. The universe of the
research comprises citizens who live in the center of Ankara and who have the right to
vote and who are between 18 and 37 years old. Sampling method is based on random
sampling technique. The questionnaire of 693 young voters was taken as the basis from
the 1177 questionnaires conducted with participants in the survey. A question book con-
sisting of 4 main sections was prepared to obtain research data and used 5 likert scale.
The Cronbach Alpha coefficient obtained to determine the reliability of the scale is .898.
Research Question and Hypotheses
This study seeks explanations for the research question of “What accounts for voting
behavior of young voters in local elections?” After examining the previously mentioned
studies, four research hypotheses have been identified, which are considered to be com-
parative relational screening between independent variable and dependent variables.
H1: The candidate’s service experience and projects are more likely to affect young vo-
ters’ voting behavior positively.
H2: Feasibility of the promises of the candidate and the party are more likely to affect
young voters’ voting behavior positively.
H3: Mass media is more likely to affect young voters’ voting behavior positively.
H4: Family and close friends are more likely to affect young voters’ voting behavior po-
sitively.
Research Findings
Four hypotheses were tested in this section by using a survey conducted by Damla-
pınar and Balcı (2014) immediately after the local elections on 29 March 2009. Firstly
the socio-demographic characteristics of the participants were examined. When the so-
cio-demographic characteristics of the participants were examined, it was found that
64.3 percent of the male and 35.7 percent of the male. 58.9 percent of participants is
consisted of 18-27 years old and 28-37 year old people. 59.9 percent of the participants
is consisted of high school and university graduates. Only 13.3 percent of the participants
are students. 43.8 percent of the participants of the participants have income between
