After a frenetic final day of campaigning by Premier Dominic Perrottet and Labor leader Chris Minns millions of NSW voters will head to the polls to decide who will lead the state.
More than four million voters will head to the polls from 8am on Saturday, with millions to decide their preferred local member at more than 2000 locations in 93 electorates across the state.
Close to a quarter of voters have already made their decision, with almost 1.2 million pre-poll votes and 92,000 postal votes lodged by Friday morning.
Both leaders will cast their votes in their electorates and make last minute bids in key seats before settling into their respective camps to await a possible result later in the evening.
Mr Perrottet is seeking a fourth consecutive four-year term for his Liberal-National Coalition on a platform of responsible financial management he says will fund life-changing infrastructure.
It would be the first time the party has managed the feat since 1973.
“It is only the Liberals and the Nationals with the long-term economic plan to keep NSW moving forward,” the premier told reporters on Friday.
Mr Minns is offering the chance for a “fresh start” under Labor, including removing a wage cap on struggling public service workers and promising not to further privatise public assets.
“At this election you can cast a vote for positive change,” he said in a final message to voters.
On the eve of the election, the latest Newspoll showed Labor leading the coalition 54.5 to 45.5 on a two-party preferred basis.
This would represent a 6.5 per cent swing against the coalition since 2019, putting Labor on a path to claim the 10 seats needed to form a majority government.
The poll put Labor’s primary vote at 38 per cent compared to the coalition at 35 per cent and found Mr Minns had overtaken Mr Perrottet as preferred premier.
A raft of minor party and independent candidates vying for the cross bench could make the difference in the event of a minority government, with the Greens and teals vowing to hold the government to account on climate and other progressive reforms.
Both major party leaders have spent a gruelling campaign shoring up support in marginal seats that could decide the election.
Rising financial pressure on families and businesses has put the cost of living front and centre, with both parties promising relief in the form of rebates on energy bills and caps on road tolls.
NSW Electoral Commissioner John Schmidt said special assistance was available for those who needed it such as the blind, deaf or anyone needing a translator.
Voters have until 6pm to cast their ballots.
— AAP
