The all-important draw to decide candidates' positions on the ballot paper for the 2019 state election will take place on Thursday.
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Nominations for candidates closed at midday on Wednesday with early voting to start next Monday.
The Orange electorate voting centre opened on Monday in the former Hazelton Airlines office in Peisley Street, opposite the IGA supermarket.
Election manager Ross Baker said he had painted over the airline signs to avoid any confusion or links to one of the candidates, Kate Hazelton.
Due to a change in legislation Mr Baker no longer carries the title of returning officer as the Electoral Commissioner has taken on the role of returning officer for all electorates in NSW.
And that means for the first time in about 25 years Mr Baker will be able to vote.
"As a returning office you are not allowed to vote in the electorate," he said.
Mr Baker said pre-poll voting, for people who will be away from the electorate or unable to get to a polling booth on polling day, Saturday March 23, will start at the Peisley Street office on Monday March 11.
He said the election office had a disabled access ramp.
Eight candidates have nominated to stand for the seat of Orange. Two of them, sitting member Phil Donato and the Nationals' candidate Mrs Hazelton have opened campaign offices in Orange.
Mr Donato's is in Summer Street while Mrs Hazelton's is in Anson Street.
The newest candidates to join the race are Maurice Davey, from the Christian Democrats and Stephen Bisgrove from the Liberal Democrats.
Mr Davey, a farmer from Alectown, near Parkes, said he had been involved in his community and now wanted a voice at a higher level.
"I am talking to people who are concerned, particularly young families and young parents who are looking to the future and seeing some of these radical agendas that are coming onto the scene," he said.
"While I'm not a trained politician I feel we've got the experience - and I say we because it's a joint effort - we've got experience in how to handle real-life issues."
Top of his agenda are infrastructure development and drought initiatives, strategies to reduce crime, drug and alcohol abuse and supporting religious freedom and values in education."
Mr Davey said payroll tax concessions for agribusinesses were also on his radar.
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David Fitzsimons
I am a senior journalist at the Central Western Daily concentrating on council, government and real estate issues. Before moving to Orange I filled senior roles at the Daily Telegraph, Daily Telegraph-Mirror and the Daily Mirror in Sydney. They included being an editor, news editor, chief of staff and reporter.
I am a senior journalist at the Central Western Daily concentrating on council, government and real estate issues. Before moving to Orange I filled senior roles at the Daily Telegraph, Daily Telegraph-Mirror and the Daily Mirror in Sydney. They included being an editor, news editor, chief of staff and reporter.
