More than 300 people voted in an online poll run by the Western Advocate asking who they believed should be mayor.

Current deputy Graeme Hanger was on top of the poll late on Monday with 26 per cent of the vote, followed by the main he replaced – Cr Ian North – with 20 per cent.

Cr North has served eight terms as deputy mayor under both Paul Toole and Gary Rush but has never successfully contested a mayoral ballot.

He resigned as deputy in December without ever fully explaining his reasons.

Monica Morse, who preceded Gary Rush as mayor, was third with 13 per cent of the vote.

And Cr Morse would not rule out contesting Wednesday’s election.

“It’s much more complicated than you think when you become mayor and I don’t think you can really learn the role in just a few months,” she said.

“I haven’t rung around to see if I would have the votes but I do think you need someone with experience.

“We also need somebody to steady the ship over the next six months.

“We have an election coming on and we’ve only just got through all the amalgamation uncertainty.”