VAA Going Viral: The Impact of Volebný Kompas on Voter and Policy Engagement in Slovakia's Snap Elections

In the midst of Slovakia's ongoing democratic transition, characterized by scepticism towards liberal democracy and political disengagement, this paper delves into the influential role of the Voting Advice Application (VAA) in shaping the dynamics of electoral politics. It specifically focuses on the attitudinal and behavioural impacts of Volebný Kompas, a VAA utilized during the 2023 Slovak parliamentary snap elections. Volebný Kompas, crafted to aid citizens in making well-informed electoral decisions, encompassed 39 statements spanning five dimensions. These dimensions collectively addressed a wide array of policy issues and political values pertinent to Slovak politics. The study conducts a thorough analysis of the VAA's influence on aspects such as political knowledge, efficacy, interest, and voter turnout. Moreover, the paper investigates the extensive media reach of Volebný Kompas, which includes coverage through 12 articles in national news portals, five comprehensive interviews across diverse media platforms, and a significant digital footprint on social media, evidenced by over 150,000 interactions. This extensive reach led to its integration into political campaigns and endorsement by prominent figures, including the President of Slovakia, the former Prime Minister, several ministers, and political leaders. The VAA's influence also extended to popular culture, inspiring the creation of memes. Usage statistics underscore the VAA's impact, with a total of 270,836 sessions, of which 134,773 were completed, indicating substantial user engagement. This research underscores the transformative potential of VAAs in contemporary electoral processes. It demonstrates their effectiveness in engaging voters, enhancing political understanding, and potentially redefining the political landscape, especially in post-socialist nations like Slovakia. The findings of this study contribute to the broader discourse on VAAs, addressing lingering questions about the variability of their effects across different contexts, the impact of user self-selection, and the moderating variables that influence these effects. This paper aims to enrich our understanding of the attitudinal and behavioural effects of VAAs, offering valuable insights for future research and practical applications in the realm of electoral politics.