9.51pm: That's it for our rolling coverage today. Stay tuned over the coming days as we talk to the candidates about the final result and take a look at the final tallies in polling booths around the electorate.
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We leave you tonight with part of Troy Grant's victory speech.
9.20pm: Over in Bathurst Paul Toole will be comfortably returned as the Member for Bathurst, earning his second four-year term in State Parliament.
Mr Toole pulled well ahead of his rivals right from the start of counting of votes shortly after polls closed at 6pm and has maintained that lead as counting continues.
At 8pm, with about 28 per cent of the Bathurst vote counted, Mr Toole had secured 56.62 per cent of the primary vote, ahead of Country Labor’s Cassandra Coleman (30.34 per cent) and The Greens' Tracey Carpenter (9.55 per cent).
9.12pm: Andrew Gee has declared victory in the seat of Orange. With the primary vote counted in 17 of 40 seats Member for Orange Andrew Gee has won them all.
8.45pm: Barwon is also looking like a clear win for incumbent MP Kevin Humphries. He has a commanding lead but the battle for second is much closer between Labor's Craig Ashby and Independent Rohan Ashby.
8.42pm: And we now have word that Stephen Lawrence has conceded the seat of Dubbo. Deputy Premier Troy Grant has given a victory speech to National Party faithful at his Dubbo campaign office and tomorrow will begin his second term.
It is too early to know whether there will be a reduction in Grant's margin compared to 2011.
8.40pm: All the exit polls predicted it and the have been no surprises, with talk that the Liberal-National Coaltion will take victory in the NSW election with Mike Baird to oversee a second term in government.
However there has been a swing against the coalition.
A lot of the interest will now be on what happens in the Upper House but it will be some time before we start to get an idea of what is happening there.
8.35pm: No surprises with Mike Baird expected to retain his seat at Manly with a comfortable margin.
8.30pm: News from Barwon according to the Sydney Morning Herald:
The Herald's Peter Hannam reports on the supersized seat of Barwon, which now includes Broken Hill and other regions of the dissolved Murray-Darling electorate.
Independent candidate Rohan Boehm said his team have been "a bit surprised about how well it's gone".
Boehm, a business strategist and former journalist for The Land, said he and his "team of amateurs" have had an uphill battle against incumbent Kevin Humphries of the Nationals, who needs a 25.8 per cent swing to be unseated.
Boehm spent Saturday in and around his base in Narrabri. Humphries, though, was busy travelling around the massive electorate, visiting Lightning Ridge, Cobar, Wilcannia, and ending up in Broken Hill.
"He's been the proverbial blue-arsed fly," Boehm said.
The seat covers about 45 per cent of the state, or an area bigger than Victoria and Tasmania combined.
Boehm said Labor had appeared to cut their losses in the seat, leaving him as the main rival against the incumbent Mr Humphries.
With Broken Hill's seven booths shutting half an hour behind the rest of the state (at 6.30pm), Barwon may take a little longer than most to get a feel, results-wise.
8.20pm: The latest count according to the NSW Electoral Commission has Grant with a commanding lead with almost 8000 votes counted.
7.18pm: After a busy day on the campaign trail, with polls closed and votes coming in, its time for Country Labor candidate Stephen Lawrence to enjoy a well earned beer with his supporters at the South Dubbo Tavern.
6.55pm. The first numbers have started coming in from Yeoval Central School with 76 formal votes.
Troy Grant has a strong lead as we start the official figures.
6.49pm: As the numbers start coming in we will bring you updated figures for the seat of Dubbo ... stay tuned.
6pm: The polling booths have now closed. Stay with us as we catch up with Country Labor candidate Stephen Lawrence and Nationals candidate Troy Grant this evening.
5.03pm: Now these just look yummy: The ladies from Mid Maquarie Landcare bake up some delights for voters at Wellington Scout Hall.
4.31pm: Meet Andrew Brooks: "I'm a member for the local branch and I personally believe he's a member to support." See more of the faces from the fence line here.
4.08pm: We caught up with a few people on the fence line on Saturday afternoon. Meet more of the people on the fence line here.
Meet Jenny Studholme: "To be honest I'm very good friends with Troy Grant. I've known him since he was 18 years old."
4pm: Things are slowing down at the polling booths now - you have just two hours to cast your all important vote.
3.43pm: Country Labor candidate Stephen Lawrence submitted his vote at North Dubbo Public with his family there to provide support.
Mr Lawrence said he started off in Gulgong, before visiting Wellington, Geurie and Dubbo.
"I've been trying to say thank you to all of the people working on the campaign," he said.
Mr Lawrence said he had invited all of his supporters to celebrate with him Saturday night.
3.28pm: Member for Dubbo Troy Grant stopped to talk to his supporters before he went inside to vote at Orana Heights on Saturday.
Mr Grant said it had been a really good morning that had kicked off with an early start in Mudgee.
"I'm delighted and really humbled by all of the supporters. There are a lot of people around in yellow shirts," he said.
After voting at Orana Heights, Mr Grant said he was heading to Narromine to visit the voters there before returning to Dubbo.
3.09pm: It seems even Mike Baird thinks the best thing about Election Day is the sausage sizzle.
We have been around to numerous polling booths in Dubbo today but are still yet to find the famous snag. We are thinking maybe next election a trip to Wellington may be on the cards.
2.51pm: It seems even our four-legged friends were part of the action during the 2015 election campaign.
Aaron McDonnell's puppy Beau showed his support for deputy leader Troy Grant while on the trail in Dubbo during the campaign.
Over in Wellington Phil and Anette Priest's gorgeous border collie Gem was all for supporting Stephen Lawrence.
2.22pm: We are keen to know. Have you voted yet? Or are you a last minute type of voter?
Troy Grant and Stephen Lawrence have both just cast their votes at polling booths in Dubbo.
1.57pm: The best sausage sizzle so far has been found at Wellington ...
Always a big hit with the votes, and usually the line for the sausages is longer than that for the actually polling booth.
In Wellington the Scouts and Girl Guides have teamed up to raise a few dollars outside their hall.
Wellington residents have also packed out the Wellington Primary School to cast their vote as well.
NOTE: There has been a little confusion this morning with many residents in Wellington heading to the Civic Centre to cast their vote - this is not open as a polling place today, only the returning office is located there.
In Dubbo we have also had reports of people trying to vote at the pre-polling office in Talbragar Street. This location is also closed to voters today.
If you need somewhere to vote this afternoon we have a full list of polling booths open around the electorate right here.
1.20pm: Pre-polling was a popular choice this year, with more people than expected taking the opportunity to cast their vote early in Mudgee.
With a projected total of 4,300 residents in Mudgee, a total of 6,100 residents cast their votes in the town before election day.
In Dubbo 10,097 residents pre-polled, down on the expected 11,500, while Wellington was also down on the expected number of 1350, with just 1032 people using the pre-polling booths.
12.37pm: It seems it's not just the candidates having to drive 'long distances' to vote today, with residents in the town of Euchareena forced to drive to Stuart Town today to cast their vote.
While it's only a 14 minute drive, for the residents used to be able to vote at the local school.
Stuart Town local Marcus Hanney says many people have said they are not impressed with having to go 'a long way' to cast their vote in the 2015 NSW State Election.
Euchareena residents are saying they will write to the electoral commission.
12.23pm: Our candidates are on the road today ... and this tweet and photo from Troy Grant sums things up: "It's a beautiful day for an election in regional NSW"
11.55am: It seems family is a big thing for our candidates today, with Troy Grant and Stephen Lawrence both recruiting their parents to help out.
Ken Grant appeared on the campaign trail in Wellington on Wednesday, handing out voting cards for his son Troy, along with his partner Kate Fairhall.
While we hear that Stephen's parents are handing out how to vote cards at one of the schools in Dubbo today.
It's great to see the whole family getting involved.
11.01am: Did you know: The number of voters in the Dubbo electorate has grown to almost 53,000 since the 2013 redistribution of electoral boundaries.
This redistribution came into effect today for this electon. In the 2011 election almost 49,000 people were eligible to vote.
From today, the seat of Dubbo will officially run east to west, with Gulgong and Mudgee, Eumungerie, Trangie and Tomingley on its boundaries.
The new-look electorate will lose Parkes, Forbes, Canowindra and Peak Hill, and gain Trangie, Mudgee, Gulgong and Wellington.
10.21am: Here are a few details about the electorate you are voting in. Interested in another electorate? Use the drop down menu to check out other electorates across the state.
10am: If you are out and about voting in Dubbo today here are a few events that you may want to consider checking out at the same time.
► Craft Alive: Craft of all ranges and Craft for all ages! A show dedicated to all crafts; stamping, scrapbooking, patchwork, jewellery, needlework, embellishing, and more! CraftAlive annually brings together both talented interstate and local exhibitors, focusing on creative hand finished products, DIY products, craft supplies, homewares and creative workshops to inspire young and old. Held at the Dubbo Regional Theatre. Cost is $10 for entry. Open from 10am - 5pm.
► Earth Hour at Old Dubbo Gaol: Free Open Air Cinema Night @ Old Dubbo Gaol! Support Earth Hour by switching off household lights and appliances, and come along to this fun, family friendly event hosted by Dubbo City Council. Event Details (G): This event is a completely smoking, drug and alcohol free event. Under 18s must be accompanied by a responsible adult. BYO Picnic rugs, some seating provided. BBQ and drinks available for purchase. Starts at 6.30pm.
► Titan Macquarie Mud Run: On right now, head down to Ollie Robbins Oval to cheer on those taking part in the Titan Macquarie Mud Run. Party on afterwards with the live music, bar and food. There will be prizes for teams and individuals. Dress up for fun or come ready for action! Funds raised will go back into the local community towards outdoor fitness equipment and facilities
► WPCC Handmade Art Markets: Pick up something truly unique at the Western Plains Cultural Centre’s quarterly Handmade Art Markets, which feature an array of wares from exclusively local artists, creatives and makers. Held on the lawns of the Community Arts Centre at WPCC, these markets are an excellent showcase of the talent our local artisans. Held from 10am to 2pm at the Western Plains Cultural Centre.
If you have an event you would like to include on our coverage today email the details to lpinkerton@fairfaxmedia.com.au
9.41am: Since the first vote there have been 44 premiers for NSW. How many can you name?
Now taking a look at the seat of Dubbo over the years, these are the parties who have been given your vote to take office since 1950.
1950: CP | 1953: ALP | 1956: ALP | 1959: LIB | 1962: LIB | 1965: LIB | 1968: LIB | 1971: LIB | 1973: LIB | 1976: LIB | 1978: LIB | 1981: NAT | 1984: NAT | 1988: NAT | 1991: NAT | 1995: NAT | 1999: IND | 2003: IND | 2004 (By-election): IND | 2007: IND | 2011: NAT
9.21am: When heading down to vote today you will be given two ballot papers.
What's the deal with the two different papers?
If your knowledge of the NSW parliamentary system is based on hazy memories from primary school, this section is for you. The NSW parliament has two houses – the lower house, or Legislative Assembly, and the upper house, or Legislative Council. The party (or coalition) with the majority of seats in the Legislative Assembly forms the government of the day and the leader of that party becomes the Premier. The upper house serves as a house of review with regard to the passing of new laws and advises the government on public policy.
One ballot form casts your vote for the Legislative Assembly and the other (larger) ballot paper casts your vote for the Legislative Council. Each of the 93 seats in the Legislative Assembly represents one electorate, so your ballot paper for this house will be specific to where you reside. Legislative Council members represent the state as a whole rather than particular electoral districts, so this ballot paper will be the same no matter where you live.
So how should you fill out the ballot papers?
The ballot paper for the Legislative Assembly, or lower house, will list all the candidates standing for election in the seat of Dubbo.
Voting on this ballot paper is via the optional preferential system. You must put a number 1 next to your first choice, and then it's up to you whether you continue to number as many of the remaining candidates as you wish, in order of preference.
Voting for the Legislative Council, or upper house, is via the proportional representation system. This long ballot paper has a thick line running across it, with squares above the line representing parties and groups, and squares below the line representing the individual candidates, as well as a column on the right hand side with a list of independent candidates (see image, top right). You have two options when filling out this ballot paper – you can either vote above the line or below the line. If you vote above the line, put a 1 in the square for the party or group of your choice, and then it is optional to continue numbering as many of the remaining boxes above the line as you wish. If you vote below the line, you must number at least 15 candidates in order of your preference. You can continue to number as many candidates as you wish. Your preferences do not need to be within the same column, but you must ensure you number at least 15 squares. If you fail to do this, your vote will not be counted.
8.45am: A couple of last minute messages from a few of our candidates this morning before they start the final day of campaigning around the polls today:
8am: Good morning and welcome to our rolling coverage of the 2015 State Election for the seat of Dubbo.
Polling booths across the electorate have just opened their doors, with 10 hours left for you to cast your all important vote.
We have seven candidates vying for the Seat of Dubbo. Taking out the top spot on the ballot paper for the election is No Land Tax candidate Ben Shepherd. The Liberal have tried several times to get in contact with Mr Shepherd without any luck.
National's Troy Grant sits in second spot while Christian Democratic Party's Peter Scherer takes out third.
Rounding out the top five was Independent candidate Rod Pryor and Country Labor candidate Stephen Lawrence.
Colin Hamilton sits in sixth spot while The Greens' candidate Matt Parmeter appears at the bottom of the ballot paper.
If you are unsure of who to vote for today you can take a listen to what the candidates have to say here, or watch the video from the forum at the Dubbo RSL on Wednesday night here.
We are in for a sunny day today, with light winds.
Dubbo will reach a top of 27 degrees, Wellington will have a top of 26 degrees, in Narromine the temperature is expected to reach 27 degrees and in Mudgee we are heading for a top of 26 degrees.