New Voter Behavior and Preferences: Case Study at SMAN 4 and SMKN 4 Kendari in the 2024 Kendari Mayor Election

This research aims to find out the behavior and preferences of novice voters ahead of the 2024 mayoral election, especially among students at SMAN 4 and SMKN 4 Kendari City, Southeast Sulawesi. This research analyses by using the concepts of preferences and voter behavior. Meanwhile, the data collection technique used is distributing questionnaires using googleform, literature study and documentation, with data analysis using three stage data reduction, data display and conclusion. The results findings indicated that social, psychological, and rational factors all had an impact on novice voter’s political behavior. There are 62,5% of students who choose to be influenced by the family environment (Sociology). Aside from that, 66,7% of the respondents made their choose based on a rational approach. And the dominates behavior of novice voters influenced by psychological factors, there 83,3% chose based on educational background and 62,5% based on the credibility of mayoral candidate with significant positions in the previous government. These three factors certainly influence the preferences or tendencies of novice voters, in this case the students of SMAN 4 and SMKN 4 Kendari City, in determining the candidates for mayor and deputy mayor of Kendari which will be held in November 2024.