People Power Party Proposes Bill to Abolish Early Voting, Extend Election Day Voting to Two Days

Bill to Abolish Early Voting, Extend Election Day Voting to Two Days Proposed… Election System Reform Debate Looms

The People Power Party officially kicked off discussions on election system reform on the 18th by proposing a bill to abolish the early voting system and extend main election day voting to two days. This bill comes as a response to the ballot paper shortage incident during the June 3rd local elections and signals new debates surrounding the fairness and efficiency of elections.

Led by Rep. Park Dae-chul of the People Power Party, the proposed amendment seeks to completely abolish the current early voting system and instead implement two-day main voting on Friday and Saturday. The proposal is intended to enhance election management efficiency and reduce potential confusion during the voting process. Notably, the ballot paper shortage in some regions during the last local elections, which led to criticism of the early voting system, served as a significant background for the bill's introduction.

The People Power Party anticipates that the amendment will preserve the essence of voting and ensure stability in election management. Leader Han Dong-hoon of the People Power Party has also joined in supporting the bill, clarifying the party's stance and signaling its importance internally. If passed, the early voting system, introduced in 2013, would be abolished after 11 years. It is suggested that the new system could be applied starting from the nationwide simultaneous local elections in 2026.

Key Contents of the Bill and Expected Impact

The core of the proposed Public Official Election Act amendment is the elimination of the early voting system itself. While the early voting system, established in 2013, has been positively acknowledged for enhancing voter convenience and boosting turnout, it has also been criticized for increasing the complexity of election management and raising some concerns about fairness in the voting process. This amendment aims to address these concerns and simplify the election system.

Instead, the bill proposes extending main voting days from the current one day to two, specifically Friday and Saturday. This would allow voters to participate with fewer time constraints, potentially maintaining or slightly increasing overall turnout. Furthermore, distributing voting over two days could alleviate congestion on election day, reduce confusion, and improve the efficiency of election management. Discussions are expected to continue for its application starting with the local elections and parliamentary by-elections on June 1, 2026.

If this bill is enacted, changes are also anticipated in election campaign strategies. As campaign activities, which were previously concentrated during the early voting period, would be integrated into the main voting period, campaign messaging strategies may need adjustments to effectively reach voters. Additionally, a review of the roles and operational methods of the election commission would become inevitable. The overall election management system, including ballot paper preparation and personnel deployment, would require adjustments, necessitating consideration of changes in budget and administrative burdens.

Debate and Legislative Prospects

A debate is emerging over the proposed bill to abolish early voting. The People Power Party emphasizes the necessity of the bill, pointing to the complexity in election management and potential fairness issues associated with early voting. The ballot paper shortage during the June 3rd local elections, in particular, fueled criticism of the early voting system. The party argues that expanding main voting to two days offers a viable alternative that enhances voter convenience while ensuring election management stability.

Conversely, opposition parties, including the Democratic Party, and some civic groups have expressed concerns that abolishing early voting could hinder voter accessibility and lower turnout. Early voting has been a crucial option for voters who find it difficult to cast their ballots due to busy schedules, and its abolition is criticized as potentially contradicting the fundamental principles of democracy. Given the positive assessment that the system has contributed to increased voter turnout since its introduction in 2013, there are opinions that such a sudden abolition requires caution. Similar to the 'Yellow Envelope Act' debate, this election system reform is anticipated to involve sharp divisions, akin to the warning message the People Power Party sent 100 days into the 'Yellow Envelope Act's' implementation.

Rep. Jeong Jin-sik of the People Power Party has previously advocated for election commission reform and the introduction of a special prosecutor in relation to the June 3rd local election ballot paper shortage. This suggests that a fundamental distrust in the overall election management system underlies the current bill's proposal. In contrast, Rep. Park Jeong-eun of the Jo Guk Innovation Party criticizes the People Power Party's pursuit of specific bills (e.g., their rejection of the Marine Corporal Chae Special Prosecutor Bill) as going against public sentiment, emphasizing policy development for resolving judicial inequality and protecting citizen rights. This perspective champions the values of democratic participation and rights protection as paramount in election system reforms.

The legislative process ahead is expected to be challenging. The People Power Party faces anticipated opposition from opposition parties, making intense discussions and negotiations between the ruling and opposition blocs unavoidable. Currently, it remains uncertain whether the bill will pass the parliamentary threshold or, if it does, when it will take effect. However, given that the June 3rd local election ballot paper shortage has led to calls for election commission reform, this bill, alongside broader discussions on the election system, is likely to remain a significant agenda item for the political sphere for a considerable period. Discussions are expected to intensify ahead of the nationwide simultaneous local elections on June 1, 2026.