AN extraordinary meeting on Friday has delivered Cr Bobby Bourke the numbers he needs to become Bathurst's next mayor, but mayoral votes are not counted on a Friday.
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Cr Bourke has certainly emerged as the favourite to take the city's top job at this stage, but the lobbying for support might not be finished just yet.
One of those to indicate support for Cr Bourke is the mayoral incumbent Graeme Hanger, but he is keeping his options open.
Speaking to the Western Advocate on Sunday, Cr Hanger conceded it appeared Cr Bourke had the numbers but at the same time restated his preference that "the status quo remain".
With just 12 months until full council elections in September 2020, there is a school of thought that stability should be the priority for councillors when they meet for the mayoral election on Wednesday night.
The opposing school of thought, though - and the one that has the numbers at this stage - holds that while Cr Hanger is a popular mayor and very likeable man, he has not been an effective leader of the council.
But if someone is still to challenge Cr Bourke's numbers for mayor then he appears the man most likely.
Cr Jess Jennings has been crunching the numbers harder than most in recent days but he cannot get to five now the mayor has said he would support Cr Bourke.
But this has been a mayoral election with more twists than most and it's hard to believe there aren't more to come.
And the repercussions could extend beyond the next 12 months.
With council elections to be held next September, the higher profile that comes with being mayor would be a huge boost for whoever finally wins the role.
And with that boost in profile usually comes a boost in votes - and the possibility of having a second councillor elected from your ticket.
That could significantly impact the make-up the new council and any subsequent mayoral votes.
So the stakes are still high and lobbying will continue until the votes are cast.
But as it stands, Cr Bourke is the man most likely to take the mayoral reins after an intriguing and thoroughly enjoyable campaign.
And in a race that's sure to go down to the wire, you would rather be in front than coming from the rear at this late stage.