The seat of Port Stephens will be contested by six candidates at the March 23 state election.
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The full list of candidates was revealed at Thursday morning's ballot draw in Raymond Terrace.
Port Stephens election manager Lisa Campbell conducted the draw to determine what order the candidates will appear on ballots, or voting slips, on election day. The order is:
- Jaimie Abbott, Liberal
- Bradley Jelfs, Sustainable Australia
- Kate Washington, Country Labor
- Bill Doran, Independent
- Maureen Magee, The Greens
- Theresa Taylor, Animal Justice Party
Of the six candidates, only Ms Abbott was in attendance to Thursday morning's draw.
After all names were placed in an empty ballot box and shaken by Ms Campbell, Ms Abbott was invited to also give the box a shake.
She did so "for good luck". Moments later her name was plucked from the box by Ms Campbell.
Ms Abbott, in her third election after running in the 2013 federal and 2017 local government elections, said it was the first time she had claimed the number on spot on the ballot.
But said she did not think it gave her an advantage over the other candidates.
"People will base their votes on who has the most positive plan for Port Stephens," she said.
Ms Abbott's father, Jack Abbott, and Ms Washington's father, Bert Washington, also in attendance to the ballot draw.
The ballot draw was conducted at the Port Stephens election manager's office at 46 William Street, Raymond Terrace at 10am.
This office will open for early voting on Monday, March 11.
Early voting can also be done at All Saints Anglican Church in Nelson Bay (25 Church Street) from Monday.
Both pre-poll locations will be open until Friday, March 22.
The opening hours are 8am-6pm Monday to Friday, 8am-8pm on Thursday, March 21 and Saturday 9am-5pm.
To see where to go to vote in Port Stephens on March 23, click here.
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Ellie-Marie Watts
A journalist with 10 years experience, Ellie-Marie connects readers to the stories that matter in their communities. A Port Stephens-based news, sport and event writer and photographer with a passion for human interest features.
A journalist with 10 years experience, Ellie-Marie connects readers to the stories that matter in their communities. A Port Stephens-based news, sport and event writer and photographer with a passion for human interest features.
