“The non-voter time bomb” is an immersive, multimedia investigation feature into voter abstention in the European Union (EU), designed to captivate and engage audiences through data and storytelling. While it can be accessed on smartphones, for an optimal experience, we recommend using a computer.

This feature is divided into two sections: on the left of the homepage, users can explore a comprehensive, data-driven investigation tracking voter abstention in the 27 EU countries over the past 50 years. Through dynamic maps and interactive design, users can delve into detailed insights regarding voting patterns of 351 million electors and 697 electoral events, across three election types: European, local and national elections. Users will not only visualize data of voter participation but can also correlate it with 16 socioeconomic indicators such as inequality, unemployment, and education levels in recent electoral years. Interactive elements invite users to engage with the statistics and narratives at their own pace — allowing them to filter information in different ways, correlate different variables and reach different conclusions. This feature also includes the data interpretation of a journalist and a visual artist who created a text about the consequences of abstention, accompanied by an illustration that enhances the text.

Complementing the data-driven analysis, the feature delves into a report, on the right of the homepage, on the ten Portuguese parishes with the lowest voter turnout, offering a narrative and photographic portrait of these communities. By intertwining vivid imagery with personal testimonies, we aim to unravel the reasons behind the growing disconnection of Portuguese citizens from the political process, where nearly half abstain from voting, while also capturing the economic, political, and social context surrounding these communities.

Through this investigation, we aim to provide a comprehensive portrait of voter abstention in Europe and spark greater awareness of the factors that might contribute to it. By illuminating the voices and experiences of communities affected by low voter turnout and through visually compelling stories, we aspire to create a ripple effect that not only informs but also inspires action toward a more engaged and inclusive democracy.