With pre-polling in full swing across the electorate its time to take a look at where the candidates are allocating their preferences - if any.
The Nationals' David Layzell is the only one of the seven candidates, with how-to-vote cards at Singleton this morning, that simply said vote one.
Because the NSW electoral system allows for optional preferences candidates and therefore the electors can chose to include or not include their preferences.
In the Upper Hunter by-election, to be held on May 22, the fact the seat was held by The Nationals on a 2.6 per cent margin preferences may well decide the outcome.
The number one pick for second spot on the ballot paper is Independent Tracy Norman. Ms Norman is number two on Labor's Jeff Drayton, The Greens Sue Abbott and Independent Kirsty O'Connell's how-to-vote cards.
Mrs O'Connell is third on Labor and The Greens how-to-vote card. With Ms Norman placing Labor third on her card.
Shooters, Fishers and Farmers's candidate Sue Gilroy and One Nation's Dale McNamara will preference each other.
Last week former One Nation candidate for the Federal seat of Hunter Stuart Bonds endorsed Sue Gilroy's campaign for the by-election and in doing so condemning his former party's decision to support Federal industrial relations laws which he believes hurt casual miners working in the Hunter's coal industry.
Louise Nichols
From cattle to coal. Once a specialist agriculture writer today its about community, in particular, the Upper Hunter. I have lived and worked in the region for more than 30 years. Land use issues and the future direction of our region. But you cannot take ag out of the picture - our food and how we grow it is the basis of all life. Covering the Hunter and Mid North Coast rural issues is now part of my role with ACM.
From cattle to coal. Once a specialist agriculture writer today its about community, in particular, the Upper Hunter. I have lived and worked in the region for more than 30 years. Land use issues and the future direction of our region. But you cannot take ag out of the picture - our food and how we grow it is the basis of all life. Covering the Hunter and Mid North Coast rural issues is now part of my role with ACM.
