The impact of ICTs on political behaviour in European Parliament elections : increasing turnout?

Abstract

Voting Advice Applications (VAA) are online tools implemented before elections and designed to help voters compare their policy preferences on major issues with the respective positions of political parties and candidates. As a result, these tools indicate the political proximity between the individual voters, parties and candidates running for election. Numerous studies suggest that the existence and usage of VAAs increase turnout in elections because they facilitate the decision-making of undecided voters. Furthermore, several studies indicate that VAAs influence voters’ choices to varying degrees. The aim of the panel is to assess the available evidence on VAAs and their potential contribution to the European elections. The speakers, who are all involved in large-scale transnational VAA platforms, will consider the merits and potential shortcomings of such technologies.