Party alliances, political knowledge and voter preference in local elections: Eskişehir sample

The concept of alliance between parties appeared in public with a new understanding after the legal regulations that have been done after the constitution referendum which was occurred in 16 April 2017. Based on this, with the aim of determining the effects of alliance on the voter preference in local elections, 31 March 2019 Local Elections has been researched as a case study. In the study, based on field research, scientific data collection tools based on questionnaire technique has been used. Field research was carried out in Eskişehir between the dates 15 May – 30 June 2019. 900 voters participated in the application of the questionnaire. The data which was obtained from the questionnaires has been analysed systematically via SPSS program. According to the findings that have been revealed, the facts that the voters in Eskişehir have generally positive point of views against alliance between parties, but that they have not leaned towards new alliances apart from the available ones have been found out. In addition, it has been revealed that the voters in Eskişehir, while voting, have paid attention to the candidates for Municipality rather than the party and alliance groups. Keywords: Voter, Voter Preference, Electoral Alliance, Local Elections, Voter Preference in Eskişehir