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Studies on communication networks suggest that network heterogeneity plays an important role in destabilizing voter preferences and demobilizing voters. In 2002, Paul A. Beck proposed his theory of partisan defection, suggesting that being embedded within in a heterogeneous network increases the likelihood of voting for a candidate from the opposite party. In 2006, Diana C. Mutz pointed out that individuals living in such networks are less likely to be active in participation. This paper tests two hypotheses derived from these theories using survey data collected in Taiwan's 2006 mayoral election in Taipei and Kaohsiung City (TEDS2006C). The findings suggest that the theory of partisan defection is partially supported by the Taipei data, but not by the Kaohsiung data. In addition, the generalization of Mutz's theory is limited as no statistically significant relationship was found between living in heterogeneous networks and unwillingness to turning out to vote, although the signs are consistent with the expectation of the theory. This paper attributes such results to contextual differences between the U.S. and Taiwan and the limitations of the data sets. It further suggests a research agenda in which to explore the effects of communication networks on voting behaviors. ..PAT.-Unpublished Manuscript [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]