Taiwan

Asia · tw

The president and vice president are elected together by direct plurality vote in a single nationwide constituency. The Legislative Yuan combines single-member districts, Indigenous constituencies and proportional party-list seats.

Profile last reviewed July 23, 2026

Taiwan holds competitive national and local elections administered by the Central Election Commission. Voter lists are prepared from household-registration records rather than by individual application, and ballots are cast and counted at local polling stations.

How voting works today

Voting age: 20 and over
Voter registration: State-initiated
Identification: Photo ID required
Compulsory voting: No
Postal voting: Not available
Early voting: Not available
Online voting: Not available
Voting from abroad: Not available

Electoral rolls are compiled from household-registration data. Voting is in person at the polling station assigned to the voter's registered residence; Taiwan does not provide general postal, early, online or overseas voting.

How the franchise changed

Every entry records a change in who could vote, or how — expansions, restrictions and procedural reforms alike.

1947Expansion
The Constitution established universal, equal and direct suffrage by secret ballot.
Constitution of the Republic of China
1996Reform
Taiwan held its first direct presidential election.
A Brief Introduction to Elections in Taiwan

Safeguards on the count

Ballot type: Paper ballots
Election administration: Independent commission
Domestic observers: Yes

Paper ballots are counted at the polling station after voting closes, with totals recorded locally and aggregated by the Central Election Commission. Candidate and party representatives may observe voting and counting.