Understanding voter behavior in direct local elections: a case study from the Southeast Sulawesi Islands, Indonesia

Despite Indonesia’s transition to a decentralized democratic system, a significant “informational void” persists in remote archipelagic territories, threatening the inclusivity of direct regional elections. This study addresses the urgent need to understand how voter behavior is constructed in geographically isolated communities, where traditional structures often collide with modern democratic ideals. This study examines the behavior patterns of voters on Cimpedak Island, South Konawe Regency, by integrating sociological, psychological, rational choice, and political marketing frameworks. Using a descriptive qualitative approach, in-depth interviews were conducted with 24 informants alongside document analysis during the 2020–2021 electoral period. The results reveal that voter behavior is not a purely individual rational act but a socially mediated process driven by four factors: the authority of traditional leaders ( sanroh and imah ) acting as political gatekeepers; psychological proximity to candidates; rational evaluations of infrastructure needs; and localized political marketing. The implementation of these findings is crucial for Indonesian electoral commissions ( KPU ), to design more geographically-sensitive to voter education programs and for political actors to move beyond generic campaigns toward community-based engagement. Ultimately, this research provides a scalable model concept for enhancing electoral integrity in archipelagic democracies by bridging the gap between traditional authority and modern political participation.