Digital Taiwan Lecture Series – Taiwan’s Electoral System and the 2026 Local Elections

Taiwan’s democracy has undergone a remarkable transformation since the lifting of martial law in 1987. A major milestone came in 1996, when Taiwan held its first direct presidential election, marking a significant step in the consolidation of its democratic system. Thirty years later, Taiwan stands as one of Asia’s most vibrant democracies. 

Amid growing geopolitical tensions in the Indo-Pacific region and the increasingly complex relationship between China and Taiwan, Taiwan’s elections have attracted significant international attention. However, while election outcomes are widely discussed, there is often less focus on the electoral system itself. Understanding how Taiwan’s elections are structured is essential, as electoral rules shape political representation, influence policymaking, and determine how political leaders are selected. 

This webinar will explore the historical development of Taiwan’s electoral system and examine how the current system functions today. It will also discuss the upcoming local elections in November and their broader political significance. As an important indicator of public opinion and party support, these elections may provide valuable insights into Taiwan’s domestic political landscape and offer early clues about the dynamics leading up to the 2028 presidential election. 

Speaker: Dr. Ching-Hsin Yu, Research Fellow, Election Study Center, National Chengchi University 

Ching-hsin Yu is a Research Fellow at the Election Study Center (ESC) as well as a joint professor of Graduate Institute of Development Studies, National Chengchi University (NCCU), Taipei, Taiwan. He is also currently an Election Commissioner of Republic of China (Taiwan). He earned his Ph.D. in political science from Pennsylvania State University in the United States in 1995. In addition to public services, he has continuously devoted himself in the study of party politics, public opinion, electoral systems and elections. His recent studies include the topics of political accountability, political campaign, political identity, party politics, and issues related to Taiwan’s democratic transition and Cross-Strait relations. He can be reached at: chyu@nccu.edu.tw 

Moderator: Yi-Chieh Chen, Research Fellow at ISDP’s Stockholm Taiwan Center