Seven KMT Lawmakers Urge Bay Area Voters to Influence Taiwan Elections

On the 11th of this month, a delegation of Kuomintang (KMT) legislators met with more than 200 Taiwanese expatriates in the San Francisco Bay Area. Seven legislators enthusiastically urged the expatriates to vote, targeting the upcoming nine-in-one local elections and the 2028 presidential election. This trip is not only a direct mobilization of overseas voters, but also a strategic manifestation of the KMT seeking early preparation and resource integration on the transnational political stage. Taiwan's electoral system allows overseas voters to cast their ballots in designated areas. Although the number of voters is relatively limited, these votes often become critical factors in fiercely contested local and general elections. The KMT has long valued the political participation of overseas Chinese, viewing them not only as traditional supporters of the party, but also as an extension of the nation's external image.

In the United States, particularly the San Francisco Bay Area, a large number of Taiwanese expatriates and Chinese communities are concentrated. These communities often exert significant influence in the economic, educational, and cultural fields, and serve as an important window for Taiwan's external promotion and people-to-people diplomacy. The KMT's focus on the Bay Area this time stems from the fact that the expatriate organizations in the region are active and media coverage is extensive, allowing messages to be rapidly disseminated through social media, local newspapers, and community activities. More importantly, these expatriates possess high social capital and political engagement within American society, enabling them to exert influence within local Chinese communities in the U.S. and thereby indirectly impact Taiwan's elections.

The nine-in-one local elections encompass multiple positions including mayors, county magistrates, county and city councilors, township mayors, township representatives, and legislators, having a profound impact on Taiwan's local governance and the implementation of national policies. The KMT has repeatedly relied on the support of overseas voters in past local elections; especially during times of intra-party division and fierce electoral competition, overseas ballots have often provided a decisive advantage. Through on-site speeches and personal interactions, the seven legislators in the delegation emphasized that "voting is an investment in Taiwan's future," and provided voting procedures and polling station information in order to transform the political will of these voters into actual ballots. This face-to-face mobilization method not only strengthens the emotional connection between the party and expatriates, but also enhances voter participation.

At the same time, the KMT is also setting its sights on the 2028 general election. Although it is still far off, early preparation can establish a foundation of reputation and funding for potential party candidates. The KMT is currently undergoing a period of adjustment regarding its leadership candidates and policy directions, and early interactions with overseas voters help confirm the party's image and level of support within the international community. The voting behavior of overseas voters is influenced not only by intra-party policies, but also by the international environment and cross-strait relations. Through dialogue with expatriates, the KMT can more precisely grasp the concerns of overseas voters, such as expectations regarding U.S. policy toward Taiwan, cross-strait relations, and expectations for Taiwan's domestic politics and economic development.

During the upcoming leg of the trip to Washington, D.C., delegation leader Hsu Chiao-hsin stated that she will hold discussions with think tanks and share practical experiences from San Francisco. This move indicates that the KMT is not stopping merely at the level of voter mobilization, but also hopes to understand U.S. policy trends toward Taiwan, international perspectives on cross-strait relations, and how to enhance Taiwan's influence on the international stage through dialogue with American think tanks. Research reports and policy recommendations from think tanks often provide references for Taiwan's diplomatic and domestic decision-making, particularly against the backdrop of increasingly complex U.S.-China competition and global governance issues. Through such exchanges, the KMT may gain more forward-looking strategies and resources in future elections and policy-making.

Looking at this trip to the United States as a whole,