What to be aware of during user research sessions
You do not need to significantly change your discussion guide or your normal approach to research sessions during a pre-election period.
At the start of the session you should tell the participant that, due to the election, there may be topics they raise that you can't discuss.
You should take extra care with how you respond to participants' questions. Things you say that would normally be accepted as objective and neutral could be interpreted differently in a pre-election period.
If they do raise a party political or controversial topic during the session, say that you can't comment. This could include local issues that you weren't aware of, for example a media controversy related to a local school.
If you are worried or uncomfortable with something a participant is saying and you are unable to change the topic, you should politely end the session.