Simultaneous National and Local Elections 2024: Triggering Voter Fatigue, Coattail Effect, and Political Polarization in Indonesia

The simultaneous legislative elections and regional elections (pilkada) in Indonesia, in 2024, present significant challenges related to voter behavior, including the occurrence of voter fatigue, coattail effect, and political polarization. Voter fatigue can negatively impact participation and the quality of elections, while the coattail effect influences election outcomes at the legislative and local levels. This study employs a qualitative approach with a descriptive-analytical method. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, including voters, election organizers, political experts, and an analysis of documents related to the elections. Data were analyzed using thematic techniques to identify patterns related to the phenomena under investigation. The findings indicate that voter fatigue negatively affects voter participation, leading to a decrease in votes and the quality of decision making. Additionally, the study shows that the coattail effect of presidential candidates significantly influences legislative and local election outcomes. Meanwhile, political polarization is rising, resulting in social tensions among voters with differing political views. These findings suggest that simultaneous elections can create complex challenges in the context of Indonesian democracy. Voter fatigue and political polarization must to be primary concerns for election organizers and policymakers to ensure better participation and sustainable political stability.