Taiwan's local elections in November will include 26 candidates who are Chinese spouses naturalized as Taiwanese citizens, a small but politically sensitive detail in an otherwise stable election.

• Nearly 20,000 people have registered to compete for around 11,000 local posts on Nov. 28.
• Of the 26 Chinese-spouse candidates, most are running for ward chief, the lowest local office; a handful are seeking city, county or township seats.
• Turnout of candidates is slightly down from 2022, while Chinese-spouse candidates rose by seven — in line with trends since these combined elections began in 2014.
• A former celebrity who gave up Taiwanese household registration and health coverage and lived in China for years has also registered, and eligibility will be judged under current law.
• A national referendum on scrapping Taiwan's nuclear-free policy will be held the same day, pushed through by the opposition-controlled legislature.

Outlook: Candidate eligibility checks finish in mid-October, with ballot numbers drawn a week later, setting up a vote that doubles as a test of public opinion on nuclear power.