Youth electoral participation in Poland in 2014-2024

Abstract

The aim of the conducted research was to analyze the electoral participation of young people in Poland in nationwide elections, including presidential, parliamentary (including elections to the European Parliament), and local government elections, as well as the determinants of this phenomenon. The selected time frame covers the period from 2014 to 2024. Two hypotheses were tested. The first hypothesized a correlation between the type of election and voter turnout among young people, suggesting that youth are more likely to vote in presidential elections (characterized by high overall voter mobilization) than in parliamentary and local government elections. The second hypothesis assumed that the proportion of young voters in the total electorate has been systematically increasing over the years. In the analysis of the latter aspect, additional attention was given to factors other than age that influence youth voter turnout, as well as to measures that could potentially enhance young people's public participation. The first hypothesis was confirmed, whereas the second was rejected, as young people were found to prioritize engagement in social activism—such as demonstrations, strikes, and marches—over electoral participation. The research utilized available quantitative data, including surveys and official election results, academic literature, legal acts concerning electoral rights and the electoral system in Poland, as well as press articles and media discourse.