Local election guidance for Dortmund's youth is offered through the "Vahlbuddy" platform
In the upcoming local election on September 14, Dortmund's young voters have a new tool to help them make informed decisions: Wahlbuddy. This innovative platform, developed by a committed group of young people, aims to bridge the gap between politics and young people by focusing on issues that matter to first-time voters.
- Youth-Centric Questions
Wahlbuddy's questionnaire is tailored to include topics relevant to young voters, such as education, climate protection, affordable housing, digital infrastructure, and youth participation in politics. This ensures that the concerns and priorities of first-time voters are at the forefront.
- Accessible and Engaging Interface
The tool guides users through a series of statements or policy questions, allowing them to indicate their level of agreement or importance. This interactive process makes political engagement accessible and less intimidating for young people unfamiliar with detailed party platforms.
- Clear Matching Results
After completing the questionnaire, users receive a clear summary showing which city council parties align most closely with their views. This direct comparison helps young voters see beyond party names and slogans to the specific policies that matter to them.
- Educational Aspect
Wahlbuddy often includes explanations around political topics and party positions, helping young voters better understand the local political landscape and the implications of their choices.
- Local Focus
Since the tool is localized for Dortmund, it reflects the actual candidates and policies relevant to the city council, making it immediately practical and useful for first-time voters deciding whom to support in their own community.
Karima Echargui, a member of the preparation team, emphasized the importance of young people learning more about politics and the parties running in September. She underscores the importance of choosing a party based on its potential to help society and achieve the right goals, not just because it's trendy.
The Youth Ring Dortmund, the organization behind Wahlbuddy, has made it clear that they position themselves against anti-human and anti-democratic politics and parties, such as the AfD. Consequently, the AfD's positions are not listed in the Wahlbuddy.
The Wahlbuddy project is a volunteer effort by the Youth Ring Dortmund, with technical support provided by the LAG Jugendringe NRW as part of its "Without you, it won't work" campaign.
Tim Stenzhorn, another member of the preparation team, suggests that parties could learn from Wahlbuddy that all topics can be topics for young people, not just school and playgrounds.
To learn more about Wahlbuddy and start exploring the positions of the parties running in the Dortmund local election, visit https://dortmund.waehlt.nrw/. The Wahlbuddy offers a low-threshold way for young people to learn about the positions of the parties in a comprehensive manner, acting as a starting point for young people to engage with the positions of the parties in a meaningful way.
- To help young voters make informed decisions about the economic and social policy that affects their lifestyle, Wahlbuddy offers a questionnaire focusing on topics such as education, housing, climate protection, digital infrastructure, and youth participation in politics.
- In an effort to bridge the gap between politics and young people, Wahlbuddy provides an accessible and engaging interface that allows users to compare the policy positions of city council parties in a clear and digestible manner, helping them make decisions based on issues that matter to them in the realm of general-news and home-and-garden.
