Taiwan's local election season is under way, with all three main parties staging registration events in New Taipei — neutral news, but an early read on how the November vote will be fought.

• Five DPP city council candidates registered in running gear, jogging in with relay bibs to cast city government as a team race.
• The KMT's Banqiao candidate showed up with sitting legislators and party youth officials, pitching himself as a grassroots choice with no family connections.
• Ko Wen-je and Huang Kuo-chang turned out together for seven TPP candidates, praising an incumbent councillor and asking voters to give newcomers a chance.
• Twenty-two people completed registration on the day, including independents and smaller parties like the Greens and the Labor Party.

Outlook: Registration runs through September 4 ahead of the November 28 vote, with parties using the window to build momentum.