Radio Davos Your 'first time' can shape democracy: the psychology of voting
Apr 2, 2026
Michael Bruter, director of the Electoral Psychology Observatory and LSE political scientist, explores how first voting experiences shape lifelong democratic participation. He discusses electoral ergonomics and how voting environments and design affect emotions. He also examines youth, social media, polarization, and why conversations and empathy can reduce intergenerational hostility.
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Elections Are Designed Experiences
- Elections are experiences not just processes and small design details change voter psychology.
- Polling booth layout, noise, opening hours and ballot design trigger memories and emotions that alter voting behaviour.
Remote Voting Softens Collective Responsibility
- Remote voting changes the social meaning of the act and reduces the sense of collective responsibility.
- Young people voting from the kitchen table were twice as likely to pick extremist parties compared with polling station voters in Bruter's study.
Bungee Jumper Analogy For First-Time Voters
- Bruter uses a bungee jumper analogy to explain first-time voter needs.
- First-timers have unique anxieties and questions and should be welcomed and supported like inexperienced bungee jumpers.
