SKDS: About One in Three Voters May Skip Upcoming Saeima Elections
A survey by research center SKDS suggests roughly a third of eligible voters may not take part in the upcoming Saeima elections, with disillusionment with politics cited as the main reason rather than practical obstacles.
According to an assessment by sociologists from the research center SKDS, approximately one in three eligible voters in Latvia may choose not to cast a ballot in the upcoming Saeima elections. Sociologists expect this turnout level to be broadly similar to previous elections, where a comparable share of the population also opted out of voting.
Why people stay away from the polls
SKDS researchers point out that commonly assumed explanations — such as an expired passport or simply not having enough time to visit a polling station — are not actually the main drivers behind low voter turnout. Research instead points to a deeper issue: disillusionment with politics and political processes in general. In other words, a portion of voters are making a deliberate choice not to participate, rather than being prevented by practical barriers.
What political scientists say
Political scientists cited on the matter emphasize that abstaining from voting is not a solution to dissatisfaction with the political system. Choosing not to vote does not change the political situation and forfeits the opportunity to influence how the country will be governed in the coming years. If a large share of voters stays home, this may reinforce existing political trends, since decisions will be made by those who did exercise their right to vote.
Context
The question of voter turnout is becoming especially relevant as the Saeima elections approach. If the SKDS sociologists' forecast proves accurate and roughly a third of eligible voters abstain, the composition of the new Saeima would be determined by only slightly more than two-thirds of all eligible voters. Sociologists and political scientists suggest that understanding the causes of this disillusionment could be important for reducing voter passivity in the future, though for now the situation does not differ significantly from previous election cycles.
