DPP Proposes Two-Day Voting to Counter Absentee Voting Legislation

The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has introduced a bill proposing two consecutive days of voting to address the issue of absentee voting, which has been raised by opposition parties. Both the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) and the Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) have suggested separate absentee voting acts aimed at allowing voters who are away from their registered residences to participate in elections.

The KMT has stated that an estimated 2 million people in Taiwan work or study away from home, making it difficult for them to return to vote. The party emphasized the significance of absentee voting, particularly for indigenous voters, and criticized the DPP for not supporting their proposal. The KMT called for responsible governance and urged the DPP to refrain from smear campaigns, asserting that their absentee voting proposal seeks to uphold citizens’ voting rights.

To mitigate concerns regarding external influence on voting, the KMT clarified that its proposal would only exclude voters currently residing outside Taiwan and in China. The TPP has also prioritized its absentee voting bill in the current legislative session, proposing a system for domestic transfer voting limited to Taiwan proper, Penghu, Kinmen, and Matsu.

Under existing laws, including the Public Officials Election and Recall Act and the Referendum Act, election days are designated as one-day holidays. In response, the DPP has submitted a “democratic voting promotion act,” which has been forwarded to the legislature’s Interior Committee for review. The DPP’s proposal aims to designate both election day and the day before elections as public holidays.

The DPP suggests that local governments and corporations should encourage citizens to return to their registered residences to vote. The draft legislation also includes provisions for transport subsidies and assistance for individuals with disabilities, elderly voters, pregnant women, and those requiring care.

Chen Pei-yu, the DPP caucus secretary-general, expressed concerns about the risks associated with absentee voting, particularly the potential for personal information to be compromised. She highlighted the possibility that ballot security could be jeopardized if voting booths are relocated. Chen asserted that the DPP’s alternative proposal aims to promote voting while minimizing risks to voters’ privacy and security.

As discussions surrounding absentee voting continue, the DPP’s initiative to establish two days of voting seeks to ensure greater accessibility for all voters within Taiwan. The proposed legislation is now set for further consideration in the legislative process, reflecting the ongoing dialogue around electoral participation in the region.