[Tee tiong huat]

KMT is losing some electoral advantage to Wang NPP in Taoyuan, Hsinchu, Miaoli. Polls show party losing support among young voters and Hakka communities.

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Recent polls suggest that Kuomintang (KMT) is losing its electoral advantage in the traditionally blue counties of Taoyuan, Hsinchu, and Miaoli. The KMT has maintained strong support among Hakka as well as Indigenous voters in these regions, however recent polling indicates that may be changing, the two primary reasons identified for this shift are increase in young voters influence to Taiwan People’s Party, also termed the Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) or third-party effect.

Prior to previous presidential election over the past 4-years, President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) also worked hard to court Hakka voters, and her efforts appear to have been effective.

According to recent TVBS poll, KMT still commands a lead in these 3-counties. However, support for Hou Yu-ih (侯友宜) fell 37% to 32% in region following his registration with Central Election Commission with Jaw Shaw-kang (趙少康) as his running mate in late November.

In contrast, support for both Lai Ching-te (賴清德) and Ko Wen-je increased in the same period. Support for Lai increased 25% to 28%, while Ko’s support increased by 23% to 30%.

Ko was born in Hsinchu, and in 2022 municipal election in Hsinchu City, his party’s candidate, Ann Kao (高虹安) was elected to office of mayor. Recent polling confirm that TPP has successful in organizing voter support in the region.

UDN report suggested KMT is concerned about voter turnout in these three counties, particularly flagging support among Hakka communities. However, as with other regions of Taiwan, KMT is also worried about increasing number of young voters turning away from blue camp.

According to poll released by TVBS on Dec. 13, Lai is still leading nationally 36% of voter support, with Hou trailing by only 4 points at 32%. Meanwhile, Ko measured 22%
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/5060568