Explaining Voter Turnout in Taiwan Legislative Elections

Abstract

This paper specifies a dynamic model of voter turnout in Taiwan legislative elections using the generalized method of moments (GMM) model. We utilize data recorded over the 1998–2008 period, covering 23 counties of Taiwan. We find that previous levels of voter turnout are significantly associated with current levels of voter turnout. In particular, we provide strong evidence for a dynamic decline in voter turnout in Taiwan legislator elections. We also find that the perceived closeness of the election by the potential voters prior to the election, greater number of parties and densely populated areas, are significantly associated with higher voter turnout, whereas larger costs of voting, greater educational inequality and higher levels of education contribute to lower electoral participation. Further, population stability and disposable income have a limited impact on voter turnout.