Elections make a fundamental contribution to democratic governance and voting is a civic
duty and as a periodic role to every citizen in a democratic country as well. The participation
of voters (turnout) in Malaysia’s elections from 2004 to 2018 is 73.90 to 84 percent.
However, the total voter turnout is different in by-election such as in 2018 N.32 Seri Setia by-
election the total voter turnout is low at 44.15 percent. Thus, this study aims to examine the
relationship between four factors consist of issue and communication (1), image of candidate
(2), party reputation (3), voter behavior (4) towards low voter turnout in Seri Setia by-
election. The results of this study would provide insights into a better understanding about
factors that influence low voter turnout in Seri Setia by-election. This study adopts two
theories consist of Rational Choice Theory and The Michigan Theory to develop a conceptual
research framework. The questionnaires were developed which is adopted from the previous
studies such as Junaidi (2015), Ainna (2016), Nurfarahi; Siti Hajar; Syajaratul Nur (2017)
and Nurul (2019). The sample are consisting of 285 voters who are did not go out to vote in
Seri Setia by-election which are chosen randomly from each polling center by using stratified
sampling method. The results found that three factors consist of issue and communication (r=
0.208; p = 0.000; < 0.05), party reputation (r= 0.269; p = 0.000; < 0.05) and voter behavior
(r= 0.231; p = 0.000; < 0.05) have a significant relationship with low voter turnout in N.32
Seri Setia by-election. However, factor of image of candidate (r= 0.109; p = 0.065; > 0.05) is
not significant with low voter turnout in N.32 Seri Setia by-election. As overall, party
reputation is a major factor that influence low voter turnout in N.32 Seri Setia by-election.
The findings were important in providing a new insight into the study of low voter turnout
factors. This study also uses further academic researcher’s comparison approach to analyze
data as well as useful to political observers in Malaysia.
