With many voters confused by the Federal and State divide, and often disengaged from politics as a whole, we thought we'd have some fun. 

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Why the Western Advocate is offering our readers a sporting chance

Reporters from the Western Advocate and Lithgow Mercury hit the streets for a straw poll, asking voters just three questions: could they identify their sitting MP, were they happy with the performance of their MP, and could they name any of their rivals in the Bathurst electorate, which includes the Lithgow, Oberon and Bathurst local government areas.

The good news for current MP Paul Toole is that the vast majority of those asked recognised him and approved his performance.

The bad news is his to-do list is growing, with demands for better infrastructure and facilities.

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NSW election: No women to contest the seat of Bathurst

Voters in the Bathurst electorate have identified the key issues that concern them the most.

Bathurst resident Bob Triming, 67, said he wants the next NSW Government to spend more on infrastructure, including education, in the region.

"I'd like to see the money from the sale of the [Snowy] Hydro come to Bathurst for raising the dam wall," Mr Triming said. 

"Health-wise, I think we have an excellent hospital now with the extended car park.

"My understanding is we have room to move on mental health issues. And, of course, drought assistance really concerns me. Drought talk has stopped, but in my opinion the drought has a while to go," he said.

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'More training needed to look after a toddler': Shooters, Fishers and Farmers

Lithgow resident Andrew Cumberland said he wants the next NSW Government to fix many things in the city.

"There are a lot of things happening in Lithgow that need to be addressed, a lot of things, the NBN problems we are having in town, the roads... the general traffic flow in town, decline in trade, a lot of things need to be addressed," Mr Cumberland said.

Lithgow residents Dr Zenifa Peesa and Dr Narmatha Sivasenthan want the next NSW Government to provide more money for the Lithgow Hospital.

"We would like to see more money go into Lithgow Hospital and the health sector because people are travelling elsewhere or getting taken elsewhere," Dr Peesa said.

"If we had the facilities they could potentially stay in the area.

"More money into mental health and drug and alcohol services would be great because not much is being done there and those facilities could help more people."

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Country Labor promises to revive Lithgow Main Street if elected

Other key issues that concerned voters in Bathurst electorates were greater road access from Bathurst to Sydney, free wifi, water security, road maintenance, extra policing and cheaper electricity.

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