THOUSANDS of voters across Cowper went to the polls today (May 18) to decide who will lead the electorate.
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Pre-poll voting numbers for Cowper however match the nationwide trend that saw voters head to the ballot box early.
More than 46,926 of the eligible 124,507 voters in Cowper had already up until 6pm on Friday evening. That is 37.69 per cent of voters and the fifth highest percentage of pre-pollers in NSW.
More than four million people across the nation voted early.
Nationals candidate Pat Conaghan started the day at the northern end of Cowper casting his vote in Sawtell. He is not expected in Port Macquarie until early evening.
His rival independent Rob Oakeshott greeted the day and his supporters in Dorrigo before weaving his way around polling booths to cast his official vote at Tacking Point Public School in Port Macquarie.
Labor candidate Andrew Woodward started his day in the south working the booths between Port Macquarie and Coffs Harbour.
Despite some early angst from the Nats over election signage, polling day went without a hitch.
Polls close at 6pm tonight.