Factors Affecting Voter Behavior in Local Governments in Turkey: The Example of Besikduzu Municipality

The issue of voter behavior in local governments is a multidimensional issue. This subject varies depending on many factors such as economic, cultural, social, psychological and religious. In other words, there are many factors that affect voter behavior, influence and direct the voter in the decision-making process. Until now, many of these factors have been studied and interpreted in various studies. However, among these factors, ethnic, religious and cultural factors, the statements and actions of the candidates, the personal and physical characteristics of the candidate, and the factors that can be described as hate speech have recently become the subject of new studies. In addition to these, there are many factors that affect the voter in a limited or relative manner. These factors are also included under the headings in the content of our study. Voter behavior is a dominant issue in determining a country's administrative system and ensuring the continuity of local government activities. There are many problems faced by the voters in the decision making process. A lot of research has been done on the subject and publications have been created. However, since voter behavior is a current issue, the election process and the factors that will affect the voter vary from country to country, from election to election and according to the social structure of the country. Therefore, other studies with the factor affecting the voter are lacking. This study, which is prepared on the basis of the problems faced by the voters in the decision-making process, the factors affecting the voting behavior of the voter, and the factors that affect the voter's behavior in a limited way, has two aspects: theoretical and practical. In the theoretical part of the study, attention is drawn to the concept of local government, its types, features, its conceptual framework as the importance and functions of local governments. Afterwards, theoretical models and approaches explaining voter behavior are discussed and detailed information is given on the basic dynamics and characteristics of these models and approaches. In addition, the problems faced by the voter in the decision-making process are explained and analyzed under sub-headings. In the next section of the periodic nature of electoral behavior in Turkey, where conversion factors are dealt with and affected voters. In the application part of the study, the factors affecting voter behavior, attitudes and perceptions were tried to be determined, the information and findings obtained as a result of statistical analysis were interpreted together with the results and the necessary suggestions were made.