Council elections marked by huge informal vote

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Campbelltown councillor Warren Morrison casting his vote.

There has been a huge informal vote in Campbelltown in the council election with almost 20 percent of the votes counted.

More than 18 percent of the vote has been declared informal, a figure which could increase given confusing instructions to voters on the ballot paper.

The informal rate at Camden was even bigger at 20.4 percent, at Liverpool 23.9 percent and Wollondilly also close to the 20 percent mark.

There has been a swing away from Labor of almost one percent, while the Liberal Party have done remarkably well, recording a 10 percent swing to them.

On the current figures the Liberal Party will end up with four councillors, with an outside chance of a fifth spot.

Labor looks set to have six councillors, but quite possibly seven.

Josh Cotter, who has taken over the reins of Community First from Paul Lake – who retired at this election – looks set to have been elected.

Community First is on 1.36 of a quota at this early stage of vote counting.

The Animal Justice Party have done well so far, with .86 of a quota, and could very well end up having their first ever councillor at Campbelltown.

With 30 percent of the vote counted in Liverpool there has been a swing away from Labor of around four to five percent.

The Liberal Party has increased its vote from the 2016 elections.

Labor mayoral candidate Nathan Hagarty is behind in the count and looks to have a fight on his hands to beat the Liberal Party candidate for the top job.

In the mayoral race at Wollondilly, Judy Hannan is emerging as a serious contender after 57 percent of the vote has been counted.

Ms Hannan has so far received 20.7 percent of the vote, just behind Matt Gould with 22 percent.

Mayor Robert Khan looks like he’s gone, receiving just 11.5 percent of the vote counted.

Indeed Mr Khan looks set to lose his seat on council altogether unless the votes yet to be counted start going his way.

In Camden there was a combined swing towards the major parties of almost 20 percent, with the vote for independents collapsing by 22 percent after a third of the votes cast were counted tonight.

Most of the votes away from independents drifted to the Liberal Party (12.9 percent) while Labor picked up 8.6 percent.

Going against the grain, veteran independent Eva Campbell looks set to be re-elected for another term.

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