What started as a four-horse race for the region's top job had whittled down to just two contenders late on Tuesday, but that could change again by 6pm.

Incumbent mayor Graeme Hanger now seems all-but-certain to lose his job, but he is nothing if not an optimist.

When speaking to the Western Advocate on Tuesday, Cr Hanger said he intended to support Cr Bobby Bourke's tilt for mayor but "the fat lady hasn't yet sung".

Only Cr Hanger can know for sure what he means by that: Either he is still thinking of nominating and hoping that at least four of his colleagues decide they would prefer him as mayor to Cr Bourke, or he is thinking of switching his vote from Cr Bourke to Cr Jess Jennings.

In realty, though, only the latter option is a viable one.

As it stands, if Cr Hanger nominates for mayor he is likely to get just a single vote - his own - in the first round of counting.

We hope it does not come to that, as no one wants to see Cr Hanger leave the mayoralty in such a fashion. He remains hugely popular within the region and deserves a more dignified exit than that.

But Cr Hanger will at least have the satisfaction of deciding who becomes his successor.

If, as appears likely, he keeps to his commitment to Cr Bourke, then Cr Bourke will become mayor after 15 years on council.

That would be the most seamless of all possible transitions as councillors Bourke and Hanger are similar in many ways, not least their popularity among the voters.

It's no coincidence that Cr Bourke topped the council poll in 2017, followed by Cr Hanger. Cr Bourke has also vowed to be a collegiate mayor that seeks to utilise the individual strengths of each councillor, just as Cr Hanger promised when he took the top job (even if it appears not to have worked out that way).

But Cr Jennings is nothing if not tenacious, and he will keep pushing for Cr Hanger's support until the last moment. His would be a very different type of mayoralty, a much more lead from the front style.

There is going to be change, but just how much will be decided tonight. It's been fascinating to watch and we can't wait to see the final outcome.