more than 19 million people will vote on Saturday, with 760,000 first‑time voters invited to participate in local elections across Taiwan. A referendum accompanies the vote, asking voters whether to lower the minimum voting age from 20 to 18. This change would be a first for Taiwan, demanding constitutional amendments and a careful, phased implementation if approved.
Voting began early in the day at 8:00 local time, on a day when up to 11,000 municipal and county positions were up for election across the country, according to the Taiwan News Agency, CNA. The scale of the exercise is notable, with a nationwide effort that encompasses city mayors, county magistrates, and a broad slate of local officials whose roles shape regional governance for years to come.
The Central Election Commission (CEC) notes the presence of more than 17,649 polling stations nationwide. This extensive network relies on roughly 300,000 election workers who staff these sites, manage logistics, verify ballots, and ensure the orderly conduct of the process. The sheer manpower behind the operation highlights the importance placed on orderly, credible local elections in Taiwan.
Yet the path to the polls is not identical for every eligible voter. The Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) announced that certain health-related safeguards could affect turnout. In particular, a substantial fine could be imposed on those who test positive for COVID-19 and violate mandatory quarantine requirements to vote in person at a ballot box, underscoring the government’s emphasis on maintaining public health standards during the electoral process. In practical terms, this means a portion of potential voters may be unable to participate in person due to health concerns or quarantine obligations, a factor that weighs on both the election administration and the electorate.
As clarified by the CECC, Taiwan currently does not permit voting by mail or similar remote methods. This policy means that individuals who are infected with the virus are categorically barred from casting a ballot in the traditional polling place setting. The CECC estimates that tens of thousands of eligible voters could be prevented from voting under these health and safety rules, a scenario that has drawn attention to how health policy and electoral access intersect during this election cycle.
The municipal contests at the heart of Saturday’s turnout center on the mayors of Taiwan’s six largest cities: Taipei, New Taipei, Taoyuan, Taichung, Tainan, and Kaohsiung. In addition, mayors and judges from 15 other cities and counties across the island are also on the ballot, creating a broad spectrum of regional leadership that will influence policy directions, urban planning, public services, and local governance well into the next term.
In Taipei, the capital, a high‑profile mayoral race features prominent candidates including a Democratic Progressive Party hopeful who previously led the Ministry of Health and Welfare during the COVID‑19 pandemic. He faces competition from a People’s Party challenger and other independent figures, illustrating a competitive political landscape and a debate over public health, governance, and economic reform that resonates with voters citywide. The campaign dynamics in Taipei mirror similar contests in other major municipalities where party platforms emphasize infrastructure, housing, environmental initiatives, and responses to public health challenges.
Alongside the municipal elections, the referendum on lowering the voting age adds a constitutional dimension to the day. If the referendum passes, the proposed amendment would revise the legal framework to allow voting and candidacy at age 18, marking a significant shift in civic participation norms. The outcome hinges on broad public support, constitutional processes, and the practical implications for political parties as they recruit younger voters and tailor outreach efforts to resonate with a demographic that has grown up in a digital, highly connected era.
The referendum process itself is structured to reflect Taiwan’s constitutional procedures. A successful change would set in motion a transition period that aligns with the broader goals of expanding civic involvement while preserving the integrity and stability of the electoral system. The referendum’s passage would signal a notable moment in Taiwan’s political evolution, with implications for future elections, political engagement, and the balance of responsibilities between elected officials and the citizenry.
With 19.24 million registered voters, the calculation to approve the referendum rests on a simple majority of those who participate and vote yes. The outcome of the referendum would then require subsequent constitutional action to implement the change, creating a process that unfolds over time and through careful legislative steps. In practice, approval would not be automatic, but would initiate a multi‑phase path toward amending the nation’s constitutional framework and extending the rights of younger citizens to participate in both voting and candidacy. The interplay between the local elections and the referendum highlights a moment of civic reflection, where residents consider how best to shape their communities and the rules that govern their political engagement.