The draw for legislative assembly nominations was held at returning offices around the state yesterday  at 2pm, the Tamworth draw being held at the office in Darling St.

Seven candidates will line up to contest the seat of Tamworth, including sitting member and Nationals candidate Kevin Anderson, Mr Draper, Country Labor’s Joe Hillard, and Pat Schultz of the Greens.

Mr Draper will hold the number one spot on the ballot paper, followed by Ms Schultz and Richard Nock, of the No Land Tax Party, taking the third position.

Mr Anderson will be number six, but he was philosophical about second-last place.

“I think I was number three last time, so it’s fine,” he said.

“It’s something, I think, that when people go to the ballot box, they know what they’re doing.”

Mr Draper was obviously pleased with the top spot, but also believes “donkey voters” are in the minority.

“It’s the fourth election I’ve contested and the first time I’ve had (the number one spot),” he said.

“It will make a small difference, but there’s very few people who will just number straight down the ballot paper.”

A good omen? he was asked.

“Well, there’s been a few good omens so far,” Mr Draper smiled.

None of the sitting Nationals members in the three local seats fared particularly well with the draw, Adam Marshall in Northern Tablelands drawing fourth out of six, and Kevin Humphries fifth out of six.

The Legislative Council ballot draw, conducted in Sydney yesterday at 3pm, threw up the usual surprises, with the No Land Tax Party securing the coveted first spot.

In fact, micro parties took the top four positions, leaving the Liberals/Nationals in fifth, Labor in 11th spot and The Greens 19th on the cumbersome ballot paper.

In 24th and last place is the Cyclists Party.

The Tamworth returning office was relatively quiet yesterday, but all that will change on Monday when it throws open its doors for the start of pre-poll voting.

A pre-polling place will also be open in Gunnedah in the Creative Arts Gallery in Chandos St.

Tamworth returning officer Sarah Risby said they expected pre-poll voting to again to be popular, with up to 15,000 votes expected across the Tamworth electorate before election day.