Port Stephens voters headed to the polls on Saturday to decide their federal representatives for the next three years.
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The Paterson division's incumbent Labor MP, Meryl Swanson, handed out how to vote cards in Rutherford on Saturday while Liberal contender Brooke Vitnell set up camp in her hometown of Medowie.
"I think its been very positive so far," Ms Vitnell said of voting on Saturday morning.
"Most importantly there is no 'vote Scott Morrison out' sentiment, no rush to vote Albo in.
"I think people think the government has done a good job over the last three years given what we've encountered - COVID-19, war, fires, floods. I think they've realised that it's too risky to change governments now."
Ms Swanson, who cast her vote at her home town of Kurri Kurri, said that she was "feeling positive" in the lead-up to tonight's count.
"Rutherford had a sizeable swing against [the ALP] in 2019 but appears to be coming back this time," she said.
The seven candidates vying for the federal seat of Paterson include Angela Ketas (Informed Medical Options Party), Jason Mark Olbourne (United Australia Party), Brooke Vitnell (Liberal Party), Neil Turner (Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party), Sonia Bailey (Democratic Liberal Party), Louise Ilhein (Greens) and incumbent member Meryl Swanson (Labor Party).
Paterson is considered a key seat in this federal election with Ms Swanson currently holding it by a 5 per cent margin.
Ms Swanson was in good spirits and encouraged constituents to make their vote count this election.
"I'm feeling good. It's been quite an interesting day. Not quite as busy but it's been consistent on pre-poll," she said.
"A lot of people having lots of different conversations including 'vote Scomo out'. A lot of people are saying they want more in the way of health and infrastructure. It's been really positive. People just want to have their say."
And her final message to the Paterson electorate?
"The message to the voters is if you want to change your government - don't hope for it, vote for it. Vote Labor."
Ms Vitnell was handing out how to vote cards and spoke with voters about what she is "fighting for" at Wirreanda Public School.
Some of Ms Vitnell's key campaign items have been roads and infrastructure, mobile blackspots, health including youth mental health, and better connecting community.
When asked why she was spending election day in Medowie, Ms Vitnell said: "Aside from this being my hometown, there's been quite a growth in population here. There's thousands of new residents who have settled here, making [Medowie and Wirreanda public schools] the two largest booths in the electorate."
About 10am, the wait time to vote at the Medowie primary school was about 30 minutes. However, Wirreanda Public School's P&C had plenty of tasty treats to keep voters occupied.
Medowie Lions Club was on barbecue duties, the Fighter Beans Cafe from Williamtown had coffee on the brew and the P&C was manning a political-themed bake stall.
Sweet treats included Vitnell's Vo-Vos (iced Vovos) and Meryl's Melting Moments plus political party mixes (mixed lolly bags), Jacqui Lambingtons, Clive Palmer Gumball Gobstoppers, Tanya Pliber-Sticks (lollipops), Banana-By Joyce's (lolly bananas), Pauline's Red Ripperz (Redskins), Albanese's Living Wage Change (chocolate coins) and ScoMo's Coal (chocolate crackles).
Rachael Vaughan, president of the Wirreanda P&C, said the funds raised on Saturday will go towards making improvements to the school from a list created by its year 6 students.
"We weren't able to hold a bake stall or barbecue at the local government election last year so we've gone all out for the federal election," she said. "We've done our best to sweeten up election time with our political-themed cakes and lollies."
At Medowie Public School on Saturday, Michael Collins was handing out how to vote cards for The Greens to do his part in securing a "sustainable future for all Australians" while Liz Raymond, accompanied by her pup Nugget, was handing out for Ms Vitnell and the Liberal Party.
"I feel as though [Brooke Vitnell] has a great personality and will bring good change to the area," Ms Raymond said.
Williamtown resident Des Maslen was handing how to vote cards out for Labor. He said his support was born from Ms Swanson's support of residents living in the PFAS 'red zone'.
"We need someone we can trust as our leader," he said. "Meryl has been a great support of the people of Williamtown and surrounds. I believe she has our best interests at heart."
At Wirreanda Public School on Saturday, Annette Mason handed out voting information for Pauline Hanson's One Nation. Ms Mason said it was the first time she had volunteered for a political party.
"I've never been into politics but what I've seen over the last two years has really made me feel disillusioned with the two major parties," she said.
"I'm really scared for the next generation of Australians who won't have the same freedoms we grew up with. I'm standing up for the independents. Really, we just want everyone to put the major parties last."
Long-time Medowie resident Jim Keane was handing out for the United Australia Party.
"I believe they have really good ideas rather than arguments and well founded policies," he said of his support of the party.
It was a wet start to polling day on the Tomaree Peninsula on Saturday.
The inclement weather did not, however, faze voters who turned out in their droves across the range of polling booths from Soldiers Point and Anna Bay across Nelson Bay and Salamander Bay and into Shoal Bay.
Bacon and egg rolls, sausage sizzles and cake and plant stalls proved popular at the many of the school polling venues, with reports of strong voter turnouts and a real community festival-style atmosphere.
The Australian Electoral Commission will begin the task of counting ballots from 6pm, when polling booths across Australia close, as the country votes for its next government.
The commission said about 5.54 million Australians made an early vote ahead of Saturday on top of a record 2.73 million people applying for a postal vote.
In other election news
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