NOMINATIONS for the Rural City of Wangaratta Council election have closed with 16 candidates confirmed for Wednesday morning's ballot draw.
All 16 candidates had nominated prior to the 12 noon deadline on Tuesday.
The candidates are spread across the rural city’s seven wards.
But two of the wards only had one nomination each so current sitting councillor Harry Bussell will be elected unopposed for the King River Ward, likewise Irene Grant for the Warby Ward.
Former Victorian Member of Parliament Tania Maxwell will go head-to-head with former councillor Mark Currie in the Appin Ward.
Former councillor of the 1980s Brian Fox has nominated for the Bullawah Ward to contest current councillor Dave Fuller.
Three candidates have officially confirmed they will run for the Ovens Ward, including Jennifer Garrett, current councillor Harvey Benton, and Rebecca Shenfield.
In the Wareena Ward, Peter Siperki, Mel Paul, and current councillor Ashlee Fitzpatrick have thrown their hat in the ring.
It's shaping up to be a four-way contest in the Yarrunga Ward, with Allison Winters, Joanne Pane, Julian Fidge and Anne Dunstan lodging their nominations with the Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC).
The VEC will conduct a public ballot draw at the Wangaratta Election Office, 104 Murphy Street, at 10am on Wednesday, a time when all nominations will be officially confirmed.
This year's election will be conducted by mail.
Ballot packs will be posted to all enrolled voters from October 7, containing a ballot paper, together with their statements.
Voting closes at 6pm Friday, October 25 and all postal votes have to be received by the VEC by noon Friday, November 1.
For voters who are unsure which electoral ward they live in, visit https://maps.vec.vic.gov.au/