Taiwan's Legislative Yuan has advanced draft constitutional amendments to lower the national voting age from 20 [1] to 18 [1].
The move represents a significant shift in democratic participation for the island. By expanding the electorate to include younger citizens, the government aims to increase civic engagement among the youth population.
The proposal was advanced on Thursday, May 23, 2024 [1]. If the process moves forward rapidly, the change could take effect by the local elections scheduled for November 2024 [1].
Because the voting age is established within the constitution, the amendment requires a rigorous approval process. First, the proposal must receive a super-majority vote in parliament, specifically approval from three-quarters of lawmakers [1].
Following parliamentary approval, the measure must go to a public referendum. To pass, the amendment requires the support of half of eligible voters [1].
The legislative effort in Taipei seeks to align Taiwan with many other global democracies that allow citizens to vote upon reaching adulthood at 18. The current requirement of 20 [1] has been the standard for the Legislative Yuan and the broader government until this recent push for reform.
“Taiwan's Legislative Yuan has advanced draft constitutional amendments to lower the national voting age from 20 to 18.”
Lowering the voting age is a strategic expansion of the electorate that may shift the political calculus for candidates in local and national elections. By requiring both a parliamentary super-majority and a public referendum, the process ensures that such a fundamental constitutional change has broad consensus across both the government and the general public.
