Both Labor and Liberal candidates say they expect a close race on Saturday when votes are counted in the Eden-Monaro by-election.
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One year on from last year's general election, Labor has a new leader and a new Eden-Monaro candidate. The Liberal party will take the same team to the by-election that trailed by just 1,685 votes on a two-party preferred count last year. Preferential votes for 14 candidates will likely play a part.
Labor candidate Kristy McBain said she expects as much as 50 per cent of the electorate will have voted before Saturday's by-election, which was triggered by the early retirement of Labor MP Mike Kelly due to illness.
"It is a marginal seat, so it will be a tight race," she said on Thursday while visiting bushfire hit parts of the Bega Valley with Labor housing spokesman Jason Clare. Ms McBain said she has focused her campaign on pre-poll booths across the electorate, and will cast her vote in Merimbula on Saturday.
"People appreciate personal conversations, so I've just been me," she said.
She said voters have been focused on bushfire recovery, job security and "positive plans for their future".
Ms McBain said she has paid no attention to opinion polls, however two, by the Australia Institute and the Australian Forest Products Association, predict a slim Labor victory.
"There's no point [looking at polls], we need to talk to everyone," she said.
Liberal candidate Fiona Kotvojs said this week she also has not paid any attention to polls, and said voters are focused on "the rebuilding of the economy" in what she also said will be a close race.
"What I see, is we need a flexible approach, and one that's adaptive," she said.
Dr Kotvojs said her party remains the "underdog", adding the end of her campaign has involved "working very hard and meeting with members of our community right across Eden-Monaro".
"Right now, Eden-Monaro needs someone who can work as a part of the government and get things done as we rebuild our communities and economy after drought, bushfires and coronavirus," she said
"I have broad experience and am passionate about my community; and with the community's support I'll work to ensure we have a bright future.
"The choice is very important."
Greens candidate Cathy Griff said she is hoping the party will improve on last year's upward swing of over one percent due to its focus on the issue of climate action.
Ms Griff will cast her vote in Tathra on Saturday, before visiting her local polling booth at Tanja, a Greens stronghold.
"I have spoken to folk throughout the electorate who are still reeling from bushfires and fearful of the next wave - desperate to see Federal action and change," she said.
"Elections are an opportunity to raise solutions to climate change and social infrastructure, while giving voice to communities too often overlooked, including struggling first nations people. These messages are gaining traction, which is a vital goal in this campaign and in politics generally."
National Party candidate Trevor Hicks will be looking to improve on his party's result last year, which saw them receive almost two per cent less of the vote than the Greens.
"My number one hope from this election is that next week the people of Eden-Monaro remain front and centre of government decision making and support," he said.
"Drought, fire and the impacts of COVID-19 have impacted on our communities like no other in the country and I'm proud to have brought to the national attention issues like a dairy royal commission."
