Digital Assistants Like Local-O-Mat Prepare for Upcoming Local Elections - Digital Assistant Services of Local-O-Mat and Co. Prior to Local Elections
As local elections approach in North Rhine-Westphalia on September 14, several cities are introducing digital voting aids to help residents make informed decisions. These tools, such as the "lokal-o-mat" and "Duessel-O-Mat," offer questionnaire-based comparisons of local candidates and parties, aiming to engage voters and promote informed voting.
The "lokal-o-mat" has been developed by the Landeszentrale für politische Bildung and Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf for ten selected cities, including Duisburg, Krefeld, Düsseldorf, Haan, Cologne, and Aachen. Each city in the "Local Election Navigator" has 35 theses on youth-related topics, developed by scientists with around 60 students. Similarly, in Dortmund, the "Wahl Buddy" has 25 theses on youth-related topics, while in Solingen, voters can define their positions on 20 theses.
In Düsseldorf, the "Duessel-O-Mat" is designed specifically for young people, providing orientation on local political issues. The theses for the "Duessel-O-Mat" were developed with youth representatives of Düsseldorf. The tool covers a range of topics, including the planned new construction of the Düsseldorf opera house, free swimming courses, and additional comprehensive schools.
The "bonn-o-mat" in Bonn has 13 parties answering 30 theses on various topics, such as a cable car to Venusberg. All online election aids, including the "Duessel-O-Mat," are not voting recommendations, but information offers for the elections.
The "Local Election Navigator" is a digital voting aid launched by the NRW School of Governance at the University of Duisburg-Essen and the University of Münster for eight major cities. The tool addresses overarching themes such as education, transport, or housing, as well as locally specific questions, such as cycling paths, video surveillance, or municipal finances.
While there is no direct, sourced evidence specifically assessing the impact of these local election navigators on voter turnout or informed decision-making in North Rhine-Westphalia, general knowledge suggests that such tools can theoretically improve voter information and thus influence turnout and electoral choices positively. For instance, research shows that using an election aid makes voters more informed and more likely to vote.
The "lokal-o-mat" was launched with the support of the Ministry of Culture and Science of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia and the Kunststiftung NRW, indicating institutional backing for this initiative. The "bonn-o-mat" is supported by the "Open Communities.NRW Institute" and other civil society institutions.
Local politics significantly affects the immediate living environment, contrary to the belief that politics is only made in Berlin or Brussels. Undecided voters can get digital decision-making assistance for the local elections, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to participate in shaping their local communities.
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