PARTISIPASI HADIR (VOTER TURNOUT) GENERASI Z DAN PENGARUH NILAI AGAMA DALAM PEMILIHAN UMUM TAHUN 2024: STUDI KASUS PADA JEMAAT HKBP KERTANEGARA, KOTA SEMARANG

Abstract

This study examines the 2024 general election with a particular focus on the participation of Generation Z. Generation Z is classified as individuals born between 1997 and 2012, a cohort that has grown up amidst the rapid development of information technology. Religion plays a crucial role in human life, not only in relation to spirituality but also in social and political dimensions. Therefore, this research is entitled “Voter Turnout of Generation Z and the Influence of Religious Values in the 2024 General Election: A Case Study of the HKBP Kertanegara Congregation, Semarang City.” The exposure of Generation Z to political information on national issues positions them as active agents in disseminating narratives that shape public opinion. Their participation in elections is also influenced by religious values reinforced by close social environments, such as the church. One such institution in Indonesia, the HKBP Kertanegara Church in Semarang, functions both as a religious body and a social community, and holds significant potential in shaping the political and moral perspectives of its younger congregation members. This research employs a qualitative descriptive method, grounded in a subjective theoretical perspective and applying a case study approach. Data were collected through interviews and documentation to achieve results aligned with the research objectives. Findings indicate that Generation Z’s perceptions of the 2024 election within the HKBP Kertanegara congregation span a dynamic spectrum, ranging from the fulfillment of civic duty to the manifestation of critical agency. Moreover, religious values taught by the HKBP Kertanegara Church exert a significant and functional influence, serving as an ethical compass in Generation Z’s political decision-making. Based on these findings, the study suggests that churches develop faith-based citizenship programs and create critical dialogue spaces; election organizers foster religious partnerships and promote digital literacy campaigns; and Generation Z engage in more substantive participation and act as agents of digital literacy. Future studies are recommended to employ different methods and comparative interfaith approaches.