The participation of the people in the North Sumatra Head Election is very low. Innovation of socialization conducted by the General Election Commission of North Sumatera before the North Sumatera Head Election in 2018 needs to be done so that the public participation increases. The method used in this research is qualitative method. The data collection techniques used in this study are observation, in-depth interview, literature study and documentation. Data analysis technique used in this research is started from data reduction stage, data presentation stage, conclusion phase (verification), and triangulation. The socialization innovation used by the North Sumatera Election Commission prior to the 2018 Regional Head Elections is a citizen-based and digital-based socialization method. The method of citizen forum is implemented by interacting directly with citizens to be able to exercise their suffrage. While the method based on digital form of social media, such as instagram, facebook, twitter, youtube. The method of disseminating the General Election Commission of North Sumatera prior to the 2018 Head of Region is to go to campus by conducting socialization in several campuses in North Sumatera. Then, conventional methods of meetings with community groups, through radio, motion, games, and standup comedy. Then, the festival contains fun walk events, performance bands, performance photography, social media competition, marching band competition level equivalent high school, and door prize.
Keywords: Innovation; Socialization; Election of Regional Head
