Strategies to Increase Political Participation of Samin Kudus Community in 2019 General Election

Samin Community in Kudus Regency has a unique political participation because of the fact that political mobilization is still driven by the elder/leader of Samin Community itself. In spite of the fact that they are in one district and share the same Sedulur Sikep as their principle, nevertheless the position of leader in each village will determine political participation, moreover in using their right to vote. Samin community is a society that still upholds values, teachings, customs, languages, traditions that distinguish it from other communities. In this research, the authors want to analyse strategies to increase political participation of Samin community in Kudus Regency in the 2019 general election. The research method used in this research is qualitative research with in-depth interviews. The results of the study show that the role of the Samin figure is still compelling, the strategy undertaken by the Samin figure to encourage his citizens to use their right to vote is by using command system. Command from the leader of Samin community to his citizens is carried out in gethok tular. The command carried out is believed to be an effort to maintain pirukunan (harmony between Samin Community). In spite of the fact that the strategy of Kudus Regency Election Commission (KPUD Kudus Regency) is to form democratic volunteers to engage in community-based activities, one of which is a community base with special needs, including the indigenous people of Samin community