MORE than 400 Nationals members from across the electorate are expected to cast their vote today to determine who will replace John Cobb as the federal Member for Calare.
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Mr Cobb announced his retirement from politics during general business at a Nationals meeting in Lithgow on February 27.
Four candidates have since been confirmed to contest today’s preselection ballot, which will be held at Bathurst Panthers.
They are Bathurst’s Sam Farraway, State Member for Orange Andrew Gee, butcher and Orange councillor Scott Munro and Wellington councillor Alison Conn.
Mr Gee is ahead in the betting, with Sportsbet installing him as the $1.45 favourite yesterday afternoon.
Mr Farraway has been viewed as the biggest threat to Mr Gee’s campaign and, if the Sportsbet odds are anything to go by, the gap is closing between the rivals.
The betting agency had Mr Farraway at $3 on Thursday, compared to Mr Gee’s $1.20, but on Friday Mr Farraway firmed to $2.05.
Federal Electorate Council chairman Brett Kenworthy, who will start the official proceedings at 11am, said Nationals members have been spoilt for choice with solid candidates.
“The members have good options and that is the great thing about our party – it is grass roots,” he said.
There are 700 members registered from the Calare electorate and only those who have held membership for six months are eligible to vote.
Mr Kenworthy said after the formalities were finished this morning, each candidate would have 10 minutes to address the room and 10 minutes to answer any questions from members present.
“Before we actually get to the ballot point, you’re looking at about two-and- three-quarter hours,” he explained.
Names will be drawn out of a hat to decide the order that candidates’ names will appear on the ballot paper.
As this is a secret preferential ballot, members are required to number boxes from one to four based on their personal preferences.
“Should any candidate receive 51 per cent of the vote, they are effectively the winner,” Mr Kenworthy said.
“They will still do the full count, but once a candidate gets 51 per cent they will be declared.”
The winner of the ballot isn’t expected to be announced until after 3pm.
The federal seat of Calare has a long history as a safe seat for the Nationals, with Mr Cobb holding it since 2007.
