The nail-biting race for Newcastle lord mayor remains too close to call with independent Ross Kerridge about 3100 votes ahead of Labor's Nuatali Nelmes.
At the close of counting yesterday, Dr Kerridge had 35.16 per cent of the first preference vote ahead of Ms Nelmes on 31.85 per cent.
Preferences still need to be distributed, but the Greens and Liberals, whose candidates are sitting third and fourth respectively, did not encourage preferences for lord mayor.
Any ballot papers without preferences will be exhausted as candidates are ruled out of the race.
Dr Kerridge extended his lead from Saturday night due to pre-poll voting going his way, including Merewether where he received double the number of first preference votes that Ms Nelmes did.
Dr Kerridge will not declare victory unless Ms Nelmes concedes, and Labor is still holding out for the preference results.
Dr Kerridge said the progress in the count had been "very promising for me".
"The numbers aren't finalised yet," he said. "The votes still need to be checked and there are some postal votes yet to arrive and then they need to distribute preferences as well."
Ms Nelmes was contacted for comment, and in response a Newcastle Labor spokesperson said the lord mayoral vote "remains very tight with a small primary vote advantage to Dr Kerridge".
"Labor scrutineers are closely awaiting the continuation of the count and distribution of preferences," the spokesperson said.
"A third of the votes cast weren't for the top two candidates. Their choice of preferences will determine the outcome of the election."
Newcastle's longest serving lord mayor John Tate said he believed the close result was a good thing.
Mr Tate served on Newcastle council from 1980 to 2012, including 13 years as lord mayor, and said he had seen close election results like this before.
"You might say it's democracy at its best," he said. "We can be pleased the position is being tested."
Dr Kerridge said the result so far had reflected "a lot of frustration in the community" with the council.
Mr Tate said whoever is elected will need to be a lord mayor for everyone, including the large number of people who didn't vote for them.
"When you're elected, particularly to the mayoral office, you're elected city-wide," he said.
"You've got to bear in mind that not everybody is going to vote for you.
"There will be people with different opinions and views and it's your job to try and accommodate those and represent every voter, every resident, not just those who voted for you.
"Now that's not an easy job, but you've got to strive for it.
"You're representing the city and the city is the people.
"The community needs to accept the result as well because that's what the majority wanted, even though it might have been a fine majority."
