The Political Behavior of the Batulanteh Highlands Community in the Regional Head Election of Sumbawa Regency in 2020

Abstract

This research aims to determine the political behavior of voters and the factors behind them choosing the people of the Batulanteh highlands in the 2020 Sumbawa Regency regional elections. This is interesting to research because each voter has their own reasons and interests in determining political choices so that candidates can determine strategy in campaigning to get results that are in line with the target. This study is qualitative research. The results of the research show that the tendency for political behavior to vote for the people of the Batulanteh highlands tends to be dominated by aspects of the figure and campaign issues as well as the candidate's work program. This is closely related to the real condition of Batulanteh which is still very underdeveloped and far from development aspects. The factors behind the political behavior of Batulanteh Community voters are the voter's social circle as a variable that is outside the voter but has an influence in determining individual political choices. Individual voters' decisions are strongly influenced by group cohesion processes, not purely individual decisions and actions. This creates a "threat" if an individual in a group makes a decision that is different from the group's decision, including the decision not to vote. Then there are patron client relationships, money politics, and an assessment of regional socio-economic conditions. Of the various aspects above, the most determining aspect is money politics. Meanwhile, the patron-client aspect is relative, one-off, and not literate. The existence of money politics is considered the most determinant in influencing a person's voting decisions. This is caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, making money politics easier to accept and increasing nominal vote buying. Money politics succeeded in influencing voting behavior because candidates used personal loyalist strategies to influence voters through their social environment. The use of money politics is an effort to strengthen voters' preferences for certain candidates and strengthen the confidence of regional head candidates to be able to get guaranteed voter compliance.