THE PHENOMENON OF POLITICAL VOLUNTARISM IN GENERAL ELECTIONS: BETWEEN DEMOCRACY, POLITICAL PARTICIPATION, AND POLITICAL PARTIES

This study examines the phenomenon of political voluntarism in the 2024 General Elections in Indonesia, focusing on its role in shaping voter engagement, democratic participation, and political mobilization. The presence of political voluntarism is considered crucial in advocating ideas, values, aspirations, and has an impact on vote acquisition due to its broader nature in reaching various voter segments. There are three pairs of candidates in the 2024 General Elections, each with political volunteers engaging in various activities to support the candidates, such as “Desak Anies,” “Slepet Imin,” “Joget Gemoy,” “Demok(e)asi,” and “Tabrak Prof!”. The research methodology employs a descriptive qualitative approach. Data collection techniques involve secondary data from literature studies, including books, journals, news, and social media. The results of this research indicate that the phenomenon of political voluntarism in the 2024 General Elections is considered crucial for democracy. The presence of political voluntarism can revitalize democratic values through active participation of the public in responding to issues and involvement in political contests. Public trust crisis in political parties arises from the perception that political parties are unable to mediate between the public and the state in advocating the ideas and aspirations of the community. Therefore, the involvement of the public in politics through political volunteers is present to independently champion the values and aspirations believed in. Political volunteers not only play a role in increasing political awareness in society but also operate independently from the party system.