Taiwan's prosecutors have taken in 1,780 election-interference cases ahead of next month's local elections, with vote-buying making up more than half — a sign the old playbook is still alive but under heavy scrutiny.

• Of the cases filed through early September, 984 involve vote-buying, the most common election crime by far.
• Gift-giving leads the tactics, followed by cash handouts, paid trips, and banquets — any favor meant to sway a vote can be a crime.
• Prosecutors are also watching newer channels: digital payments, online schemes, election gambling pools, foreign meddling, and AI-generated fake news.
• Justice Minister Cheng Ming-chien is urging people to report wrongdoing, with rewards of up to NT$20 million on a dedicated hotline.
• Last cycle's crackdown produced 1,395 prosecutions and 821 final convictions, plus 114 elections voided by the courts.

Outlook: Expect a heavier push of raids and prosecutions through the final month before voting day, with more races at risk of being annulled afterward.