New voting culture takes shape among younger voters

by Han Jun-gu · Yoo-Na hyun Posted : June 4, 2026, 18:56Updated : June 4, 2026, 18:56
Voters take photos to mark casting their ballots at Polling Station No 7 in Seoksu 2-dong Anyang Gyeonggi Province on June 3 2026 AJP Han Jun-gu
Voters take selfies at a polling station in Anyang, Gyeonggi Province on June 3, 2026. AJP Han Jun-gu
SEOUL, June 4 (AJP) - Voters turned out in record numbers for Wednesday's local elections, with final turnout reaching 61 percent, up 9.8 percentage points from 50.9 percent in the 2022 local elections.

Early voting also hit a record high at 23.51 percent, up 2.89 percentage points from the previous local elections.
 
Voters line up at an early voting station set up at Sogong-dong Community Center in Jung-gu Seoul on May 29 2026 AJP Yoo Na-hyun
Voters line up to cast ballots during early voting at a polling station in central Seoul on May 29, 2026. AJP Yoo Na-hyun
Voters deposit their marked ballots at Polling Station No 6 in Noryangjin 1-dong set up at Bondong Elementary School in Dongjak-gu Seoul on June 3 2026 AJP Yoo Na-hyun
A voter casts a ballot at a polling station in Dongjak, Seoul on June 3, 2026. AJP Yoo Na-hyun
But that tells only part of the story. At polling stations across the country, people did not just show up alone, as friends, couples, and families came together. After voting, many held up their ink-stamped fingers for photos. Throughout the day, social media filled with such images showing proof of voting.

For younger voters, this shift has been building for years. What started as a simple fun among a generation who had largely ignored politics gradually turned into real engagement. By election day, that engagement had become more personal, with voters bringing their own values into the voting booth.
 
Voters take commemorative photos after casting their ballots at Polling Station No 7 in Seoksu 2-dong Anyang Gyeonggi Province on June 3 2026 AJP Han Jun-gu
Voters pose for a photo at a polling station in Anyang, Gyeonggi Province on June 3, 2026. AJP Han Jun-gu
Voters take commemorative photos after casting their ballots at Polling Station No 7 in Seoksu 2-dong Anyang Gyeonggi Province on June 3 2026 AJP Han Jun-gu
Voters pose for a photo at a polling station in Anyang, Gyeonggi Province on June 3, 2026. AJP Han Jun-gu
The local elections, held every four years to choose city mayors, provincial governors, education superintendents, and other local officials, are now over. But for many voters, the habit of showing up may be taking root in a new form.
 
Voters deposit their marked ballots at Polling Station No 6 in Noryangjin 1-dong set up at Bondong Elementary School in Dongjak-gu Seoul on June 3 2026 AJP Yoo Na-hyun
A voter casts a ballot at a polling station in Dongjak, Seoul on June 3, 2026. AJP Yoo Na-hyun
Voters cast their ballots at Polling Station No 6 in Noryangjin 1-dong set up at Bondong Elementary School in Dongjak-gu Seoul on June 3 2026 AJP Yoo Na-hyun
Voters cast ballots at a polling station in Dongjak, Seoul on June 3, 2026. AJP Yoo Na-hyun
Ballots from early voting are counted at the Gwanak-gu Election Commission counting station set up at Seoul National University gymnasium in Gwanak-gu Seoul on the afternoon of June 3 2026 AJP Yoo Na-hyun
Election officials get ready to count ballots in Gwanak, Seoul, on June 3, 2026. AJP Yoo Na-hyun
Ballots from early voting are counted at the Gwanak-gu Election Commission counting station set up at Seoul National University gymnasium in Gwanak-gu Seoul on the afternoon of June 3 2026 AJP Yoo Na-hyun
Election officials count ballots in Gwanak, Seoul, on June 3, 2026. AJP Yoo Na-hyun