Social welfare, crime and candidates' qualifications will be uppermost in voters' minds today.
And for the first time since the introduction of Western-style balloting in the late 1980s, the charisma of candidates often matters more than the party they represent.
'Many candidates have used the same slogan - 'Pick the man you like best rather than choose a political party',' National Chengchi University political scientist Chen Yih-yan said.
Professor Chen said that this time voters had far fewer positive feelings about the KMT and the DPP.
He said that in counties or cities that had been administered by KMT or DPP politicians for several years or more, voters were seeking a change.
The election is notable for the large number of candidates who have resigned from their parties after failing to secure nominations.