Improving political literacy by design: Voter advice applications for young New Zealanders

Voter participation by young people has been in long-term decline in New Zealand. Many do not understand what elected representatives do, and assume that politics does not affect them. Voter advice applications (VAAs) are effective design-led tools for addressing these issues by providing game-like experiences that help voters compare their values with the positions of political parties or candidates. By providing an accessible introduction to politics, VAAs engage young people within and beyond the classroom, and help them become informed, confident participants in elections.