Early results had Labor candidates ahead in two Hunter byelections called after the political donations scandal claimed the scalps of two sitting MPs.
In a city still reeling from the effects of the ICAC investigation, politics and trust remain wildly opposed, with a host of independents seeking to make headway amid the major parties' problems.
The ICAC investigations into property developer donations saw two Liberal MPs – Tim Owen in Newcastle and Andrew Cornwell in Charlestown – resign, and also put the region's two other Liberal MPs on the crossbenches.
In early counts, Labor's Tim Crakanthorp was ahead in Newcastle, but high-profile businesswoman and independent Karen Howard was challenging strongly with Greens candidate Michael Osborne not far behind.
In Charlestown, Lake Macquarie mayor and Labor candidate Jodie Harrison appeared to be cruising to victory.
Palmer United-backed independents were polling poorly in early counts in both seats.
The full measure of the ICAC-inflicted damage to the major parties will be digested in the final counts.
But even the most hopeful pundit would be hard pressed to see too much upside in Labor wins for Opposition leader John Robertson, who practically became part of the furniture in the city during the campaign.
Two Labor victories will give them 23 seats. Labor would still need another 24 seats to fall their way to form government in March.
Independents, including two backed heavily by Palmer United Party's Clive Palmer, joined Greens and minor party candidates to cash in on the major party malaise.
In the past fortnight, the political big guns have left none of the city's doors unknocked. Mr Palmer and PUP's Jacqui Lambie and Glenn Lazarus, and the Greens' Adam Bandt, Lee Rhiannon and John Kaye have been regular visitors.
Kay Sneddon was among the thousands of Novocastrians who yesterday dodged their way through the paper-ladened party hacks clogging community hall entrances.
"I think it's a waste of money," she said.
"We haven't had a representative since June. I think we should wait just a few more months (for the March state election)."
Adamstown's Rosa Volpe "just picked".
"I have no idea who anyone is," she said.
Chris Bosworth headed in with his children Ava and Angus. He said he saw no point in electing someone for a few months, or just 12 parliamentary sitting days.
"I'm getting it out of the way so I can play golf," he said.
"I still haven't decided. I'm thinking I might just tick my name off and not vote. I've never done it before, but this is a waste of time."
Premier Mike Baird has been the only notable absentee in Newcastle over the past month, saying his decision not to stand candidates in Newcastle and Charlestown was "atonement" for his misbehaving MPs.
Newcastle voters will go to the polls again in three weeks to vote for a new lord mayor and then back up again in March for the full state election.
