Taiwan's 2026 local election season is kicking into gear, with Taichung's two main mayoral rivals locking in their registration dates — a neutral but closely watched marker of a tight race.

• Registration for the nine-in-one local elections runs from August 31 to September 4.
• DPP Taichung mayoral candidate Ho Hsin-chun will register on September 2; KMT rival Chiang Chi-chen follows on September 3.
• The first day will be crowded, with groups of city council candidates from all three main parties registering together.
• TPP chairman Huang Kuo-chang plans to accompany six of his party's candidates on opening day, alongside DPP and KMT council blocs.
• KMT council speaker Chang Ching-chao registers September 2, expected to draw a large turnout of party candidates.

Outlook: Expect the campaign to shift into full public mode once registration closes on September 4, with Taichung shaping up as one of the key battlegrounds.