With just over two weeks until the December 2 election, campaigners were out in force at the Rusden Street pre-polling station, including Independent candidate Rob Taber.

“This has been such a short build up to the election, it’s been difficult to get organised,” Mr Taber, who ran in the 2016 by-election, told Fairfax Media.

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“To be honest I didn’t think I’d be re-standing,” he said.

“But here I am and I’m going to give it my best shot.”

The Armidale-based candidate said he was shocked that of the 17 candidates running, only a handful actually live in the electorate. 

“It looks like only five candidates live in the electorate and that’s a real issue,” Mr Taber said.

“The local people know how this electorate works and I think it’s wrong we have a system that allows people to stand in the electorate if you don’t live there.”

Meanwhile, Labor has promised to fight for a banking Royal Commission, major spends on roads infrastructure and boosting jobs and courses at TAFE.

The Greens have pledged their commitment to campaigning against CSG activity while the Nats are just “eager to get back to work”.

Pre-polling opens at 498 Peel St, Tamworth on Thursday, November 16.

Scone and Inverell will open early voting on Monday, November 27.

Glen Innes and Tenterfield open on Wednesday, November 29.

For times and locations visit the AEC website.

You can also early vote at any AEC divisional office in Australia.