Candidates’ Financial Resources in the Local Elections in Taiwan

• In Event: Exploring Political Dynamics in Taiwan: Finance, Media, and Democratic Support

Abstract

Money plays a crucial role in politics. Acknowledging the potential influence of election expenses on electoral results, many countries implement regulations on campaign finance to enhance the fairness of elections. The sources of money in elections can shape the dynamics of electoral competition. Studies indicate that factors such as incumbency, candidates’ gender, political party, and candidates’ previous experiences are associated with the mobilization of financial resources for candidates. The majority of research on electoral finance in Taiwan has concentrated on the legislative or mayoral election levels, with fewer investigations into local council elections. The electoral system employed in local council elections is a Single Non-transferable Vote system (SNTV), providing more opportunities for individuals to stand for elections. Additionally, it serves as the initial political platform for newcomers. Consequently, examining the role of campaign finance for candidates in local elections contributes to the accumulation of research findings in the field of electoral finance. By examining political donation data from the Municipal/County Council elections spanning 2018 to 2022, this study seeks to uncover the factors associated with candidates’ mobilization of financial resources. The research anticipates that candidates’ gender, incumbency, political experiences, and party affiliation will significantly impact their financial resources.

Author

• Chiung Chu Lin, National Chung Cheng Univeristy