OPINION: Time for Taiwan to End Restrictions on Early and Absentee Voting

No early voting and no absentee ballots make it impossible for many citizens to exercise their right to vote.

The News Lens
Date: 2018/12/20
By: 札克利 / Zachary Lee

Credit: Reuters / TPG

Elections are the busiest periods for news journalists. Every reporter must support their news outlet by following different leads and engaging in interviews, even if they don’t have a background in politics. Those who do specialize in political reporting are likely to be working 24/7 throughout that period.

On election day in Taiwan, journalists and editors will often try to find the time to sneak away from work and vote. However, if a reporter’s hometown is in another county or city, they are forced to give up that sacred vote.

I have had the right to vote for eight years. Until this year, I have never been able to exercise that right.

My hometown is in Chiayi County, and the 2010 mayoral elections were the first elections held after I had reached voting age. At the time, I was interning at a radio station. On that day, I was assisting with an interview, so I was unable to go home and vote.    [FULL  STORY]

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