Voting closes on Friday at 6pm with a declaration of the polls held at the Daylesford Town Hall's council chambers on Saturday at 6pm.

Shire returning officer Jeff Stewart said that at close of business last Friday about 45 per cent of the shire's "expected vote" had been processed.

Mr Stewart said of the 10,000 eligible voters in the shire about 80 per cent usually voted.

The postal votes were being processed in Ballarat with the count to be held on Saturday at the Daylesford Primary School gym, he said.

Mr Stewart said about 13 staff members would spend the day counting votes until about 4pm.

Postal votes have been sent to all enrolled voters with just three of the shire's five wards being contested.

Councillor Bill McClenaghan has been elected unopposed to Holcombe Ward and Sebastian Klein has been elected unopposed to Coliban Ward - with Cr Heather Mutimer choosing not to stand again.

In Birch Ward, voters will elect two councillors with Dr Jon Barrell, Rod May and Gabriel Horvat nominating.

Creswick Ward also has two vacancies, which Crs Janine Booth and David Smith, Don Henderson, Leo Koninx, Mark Shalless and Michael Overington are contesting.

In Cameron Ward, there is one vacancy, with Ian Baker, mayor Tim Hayes and Les Eastcott nominating.

A statutory meeting and election of the new mayor will be held at the Daylesford Town Hall on Wednesday, December 3, at 7pm.