The polls are open for the NSW state election. Voting closes at 6pm when counting commences for all ballot papers including postal votes. Scrutineers will exclude informal votes and sort first preference votes for each candidate. Counting will cease at 10.30 tonight and will not resume until Monday.
For Kiama there are 5 candidates on the paper. With optional proportional voting in NSW, it is not obligatory to place a number against each candidate.
You may choose to place the number 1 against your chosen candidate and not offer a preference to others.
In the upper house – the Legislative Council – there is a second ballot paper, where you may vote above the line for a selected party. If you vote below the line, you may vote for candidates representing different parties or groups and you must number at least 15.
A result for Kiama is possible tonight.