Election Psychology: Are We Voting by Choice or by Influence?
A 60-minute session on how we really make up our minds at election time: the family at the dinner table, the forwards on the phone, the queue outside the booth, the famous face on the poster. This is about how people decide, never about which side anyone picks. Twelve independent cards; open three or four.
The opening question
The last time you voted, whose voice was in your head when you pressed the button?
Everyone in the room answers this in one line before any card is opened. Write the answers down; you will come back to them.
The cards
12 ways into the topic
Each card is independent. Your group votes on which to open, and four or five is plenty for an hour. Behind every card sit three prompts, one at a time, that only appear once it is opened on the board. Unopened cards keep for next time.
- 1
Being Told Who To Vote For
Election week. At dinner your father says, “Everyone in this house votes the same way.” Your aunt calls to remind you too. Nobody asks what you think.
- 2
Keeping Your Vote Secret
You step out of the polling booth with ink on your finger. Someone at home asks who you voted for. You could tell them.
- 3
The Family WhatsApp Group
Every morning there's a new video in the family group. Big red arrows. Scary music. “Forward to everyone before it gets deleted!”
- 4
Voting Like Your Parents
Your grandfather voted one way. Your father votes the same way. Nobody sat you down and told you to.
- 5
Deciding At The Last Minute
You walk into the polling booth still not sure. You look at the names and symbols. Then your finger just presses one.
- 6
Voting For Your Own Community
A candidate comes to your street. They speak your language. Their family is from your town. They feel like one of your own.
- 7
Backing The Likely Winner
Everyone says one side is sure to win. The news says so. Your friends say so. Voting for anyone else starts to feel like throwing your vote away.
- 8
Freebies Before Elections
Before the election, a party promises free electricity, free bus rides, money in your account. Some people cheer.
- 9
Skipping The Vote
Polling day is a holiday, and it lands next to a weekend. Your friends are planning a trip.
- 10
Choosing The Lesser Evil
You look at the list of candidates. You don't like any of them. Not one. But you're standing there, and you have to press something.
- 11
The Leader Or Your Candidate
Posters everywhere show one famous face. But the name next to the button in your area belongs to someone you've barely heard of.
- 12
Why Being Influenced Is Fine
Nobody decides alone, so why pretend voting is different?
The line to leave with
The next time you're sure a decision is completely your own, whose voice will you hear if you listen closely?
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