Millions in Taiwan are heading to the polls as the island’s local midterm elections kick off today.

Local council and city mayors are elected in polls held every four year but these elections are drawing global attention this year as Taiwan becomes a bigger geopolitical flashpoint between China and the US.

The Chinese government sees Taiwan as a breakaway province that will, eventually, be part of the country but many Taiwanese consider their self-ruled island with its own form of government and a democratic system, to be distinct.

This election also involves a referendum to lower the voting age to eighteen as currently, only people above the age of twenty can vote.