STRATEGI KOMISI PEMILIHAN UMUM (KPU) KABUPATEN WONOGIRI DALAM MENINGKATKAN PARTISIPASI PEMILIH PEMULA PADA PEMILIHAN UMUM TAHUN 2029

Abstract

This study analyzes the strategy of the General Election Commission (KPU) of Wonogiri Regency to increase first-time voter participation toward the 2029 General Election. Continuous Voter Data Updating (PDPB) data for the first semester of 2026 recorded 177,289 new voters, predominantly Generation Z, or approximately 20.85% of the electorate. This study employed a descriptive qualitative approach through in-depth interviews, observation, and documentation. Informants were selected purposively from KPU officials, technical implementers, schools, and first-time voters. Data were analyzed using the interactive model of Miles, Huberman, and Saldana, with source, technique, and time triangulation used to ensure data credibility. Richard M. Walker’s public-sector strategic management framework was applied through five dimensions: prospector innovation orientation, defender stability orientation, environmental analysis, responsiveness to change, and organizational performance. The findings indicate that KPU Kabupaten Wonogiri implemented an adaptive, innovative, collaborative, and procedurally grounded strategy through Sabdatama, Dhayohe KPU, KPU Goes to School, OSIS election assistance, voting simulations, social media, voter-data checking services, and cross-sector collaboration. The strategy forms a hybrid communication approach integrating face-to-face education, democratic practice, digital media, voter-data validation, and partnerships. The findings should be interpreted as improvements in first-time voters’ readiness, knowledge, awareness, information access, and administrative preparedness toward 2029, rather than evidence of increased turnout in the 2029 election, which had not yet taken place when the research was conducted.

Keywords: Public Administration; KPU Kabupaten Wonogiri; first-time voters; strategic management; Richard M. Walker; collaborative governance