Labor’s Loretta Baker and Independent Philip Penfold moved ahead of the pack in the mayoral race, with Cr Baker holding a lead of 1426 first preference votes as of Sunday afternoon. 

The closest behind the pair was Liberal candidate Bob Geoghegan, with 17.26 per cent of first preference votes, compared to Cr Penfold (28.26) and Cr Baker (31.37). 

It’s effectively turned the tussle for mayor into a two horse race, with preferences to play a crucial role. 

A deal struck between the Liberals and Labor, in which each party preferenced each other third, could be crucial, with Cr Baker set to potentially benefit from the Liberal’s share of votes. 

However, there is still room for change. Returning officer Kevin Short said postal votes would be accepted until the close of business on Monday, with preference vote counting to start on Tuesday or Wednesday. 

He stood by his earlier prediction that a final result in the mayoral race should be known by Wednesday night, with a final call on councillors made in the days after. 

Cr Baker said she was confident of her chances.

“I’m pretty happy with the situation at the moment and I’m hopeful that preferences will flow my way,” she said.

With four women a chance at being elected, Cr Baker said “it’s probably the most diverse council Maitland has ever had”. 

Fellow mayoral front runner Phil Penfold was contacted for comment.

Across the wards, the Liberals, Labor and Team Penfold are a strong chance of contributing four councillors each.

In Central, Labor and the Liberals both polled strongly, with Liberal Sally Holliday set to grab a position. Donald Ferris is set to take Labor’s seat if Cr Baker is elected mayor. The third seat will be close, with Team Penfold, headed by Phil Penfold, holding 17.09 per cent of the primary vote, ahead of Brian Burke’s Your Team for Our Town on 13.05 per cent.  

In North Ward, a tight tussle between Independent Michael Cooper and the Penfold Team’s Mike Yarrington will be influenced by preferences. Labor’s Robert Aitchison and Liberal Mitchell Griffin look set to claim the other two. 

In the east, Penfold Team member Peter Garnham is odds-on to return to council, as does Labor’s Ben Whiting. The Liberal’s Kanchan Ranadive is set to claim the third seat.

Nicole Penfold and Henry Meskauskas look likely to return as councillors in the West Ward, with Liberal Ben Mitchell polling strongly.