Analysis of Invalid Votes and Apathy in the 2022 Superintendent Election

This study investigates the determinants of ballot invalidation and electoral apathy in superintendent election, a crucial part of educational political decentralization. Through a dual approach employing aggregate electoral data and individual-level survey responses, I empirically test theoretical frameworks spanning socioeconomic status, social identity theory, and rational choice theory. The findings reveal that patterns of invalid balloting and political apathy in superintendent election are significantly associated with socioeconomic status(educational level), social identity (presence of school-age children in the household, gender, and party identification), and rational choice factors reflecting electoral costs and benefits(effective number of candidates, electoral closeness, incumbent presence, and availability of vote information). In metropolitan jurisdictions, invalid votes and political apathy demonstrated strong positive relationship with socioeconomic status(educational attainment and age), social identity(party identification), and rational choice (electoral closeness, incumbency effects, and information accessibility) factors. Notably, the relationship between invalid votes and incumbent presence exhibited an inverse pattern, suggesting distinct underlying mechanisms. Based on this analysis, policy implications are as follows. The study recommends tailored strategies to reduce invalid ballots, enhance citizen engagement, and improve educational governance through collaborative institutional efforts.