Can e-voting improve Youth Voter Turnout?: Experiences from the Kenya 2022 General Elections

Abstract

Over the years, many youths have been targeted by politicians for votes in general elections due to their large numbers. However, they (youths) have always scored dismally in terms of turning up to elect leaders of their choice in various political positions. Existing voting patterns have shown that the majority of the youth participate in political campaigns, both on social media platforms and in the field, but rarely in the voting process. Notwithstanding, the numerous civic education campaigns organized to foster voter registrations prior to elections, less than 60% of the youth turn up for registration as voters. Using Roger Hart (1992) conceptual model on level of participation, and the normative democracy theory, this paper used a critical review of existing literature, interviews, and observations for the just concluded 2022 Kenya's general elections. We examine how e-voting can be employed as a strategy to influence the youths' voting processes, during general elections. Document analysis and interviews were done and the findings are presented in the inform of narratives and excerpts.