With just nine days to go before election day (Saturday, December 4), the campaign has been escalated a notch with supporters from both sides of the political spectrum complaining about the placing of election signs on public land, including council footpaths.

A number of residents have been instructed by Port Stephens Council staff to move signs

The 2021 local government election is different to previous elections for a number of important factors: it has been postponed twice due to a pandemic; newly elected councillors will only serve a three-year term instead of the usual four; and voters can for the first time vote online.

By far the biggest surprise in Port Stephens has been the forced withdrawal due to a clerical error of deputy mayor Paul Le Mottee, who was first elected to council in 2012.

Cr Le Mottee, whose name does not appear on the official roll of candidates for west ward, had at the time of our publication deadline not given up hope of having the decision overturned.

"I am still reviewing the matter with barristers and a senior counsel and will advise of my intentions once those learned people have provided me with their advice."

There has been mixed reactions to a series of 'Meet the Candidates' across the electorate, with more than 120 (with more via Zoom) attending the forum conducted by the Tomaree Ratepayers & Residents Association on November 16.

ALSO READ: Port Stephens, meet your candidates

Moderator TRRA president Ben van der Wijngaart said that the two-hour session was not short of passionate delivery from the mayoral candidates Ryan Palmer and Leah Anderson, nor from the floor during question time.

He said he felt the meeting was on the whole conducted civilly with a minimum of interjections, allowing the three candidates present - Palmer, Anderson and Roz Armstrong - to state their positions fully.

"We got a lot of positive feedback from attendees and I was pleased to hear at the end from followers of both sides that they felt I favoured their opposition. That's usually a good indication we got the control and balance of the meeting about right."

In addition to the pre-poll located at both Nelson Bay and Raymond Terrace (at 42 William Street), there are other options for people wanting to cast their vote early.

Commissioner John Schmidt said voters can plan when, where and how they'll vote using information available on the NSW Electoral Commission website at elections.nsw.gov.au.

"Whether it's their nearest polling place, candidate information or options for voting early, voters can find everything they need to know at our website with a quick search of their enrolled address," he said.

"For the first time all voters are eligible to vote during pre-poll and in another first, iVote internet and telephone voting would be available for electors meeting strict eligibility criteria.

"A postal vote is available. For registered general postal voters they do not need to apply again, for first timers a postal vote pack will be sent out via mail by applying at elections.nsw.gov.au. Voters can use the same website site to apply for iVote, where electors will need their passport, driver's licence or Medicare Card."

Applications for postal voting close at 5pm on Monday, November 29, and postal ballot papers must be returned by 6pm, Friday, December 17. For details contact 1300 24 86 83.

ALSO READ: Palmer and team 'future focussed'

There are two places in Port Stephens where residents can vote in person early: at the returning office at 42 William Street, Raymond Terrace and All Saints Anglican Church, Nelson Bay. Both are open Monday to Saturday, 9am-5pm.

Voting will be available at select public schools and community halls around Port Stephens on Saturday, December 4 between 8am and 6pm.

Results in all NSW local government elections will be delivered progressively between December 21-23.

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