Orange’s returning officer Geoff Lark said he expected that number to double by 6pm today when pre-polling closes.

Voters must provide a reason for casting their ballot early, including not being in the state on election day, working, living with a disability, caring for someone who is unwell or prohibitive religious beliefs.

“It’s very hard to make a judgement about why people are voting early but I know there are a lot of people going overseas or interstate,” Mr Lark said.

“Other people might be just getting in early because they’ve checked the temperatures on Saturday morning, it’s meant to be around one or two degrees.”

Five candidates are vying for votes in Orange with Country Labor candidate Bernard Fitzsimon having drawn the top spot on the ballot paper ahead of Greens’ candidate Janelle Bicknell, followed by No Land Tax candidate Juan Fernandez of Lewisham, Fred Nile’s Christian Democrat candidate John Gilbert from Swansea Heads and incumbent National party candidate Andrew Gee.

Mr Lark said pre-polling had gone smoothly.

“Everyone who’s come in has been very co-operative, including the party workers,” he said.

Mr Lark said there were 35,000 Orange residents entitled to vote at one of the 41 polling locations in the electorate.

Orange’s main pre-polling booth is at 123-125 Moulder Street.

tracey.prisk@fairfaxmedia.com.au