Four candidates are in the running to become the new mayor of Cessnock, following the retirement of the city's longest-serving mayor, Bob Pynsent.

A total of 49 candidates across four wards are vying for 12 councillors' seats.

Pre-poll voting is open at Cessnock Marketplace, Kurri Kurri Community Centre and Branxton Community Hall from 9am to 5pm until Friday this week, while polling booths will be open around the LGA from 8am to 6pm Saturday.

Voting is compulsory. The penalty for not voting in NSW is a $55 fine.

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Pre-poll voting for the council election is now open, and everyone is eligible to vote early in person - not just those who can't make it to a booth on polling day.

The eligibility criteria for pre-poll voting is more relaxed this year to ease election day crowds.

Masks must be worn inside voting centres, and check-in via the Service NSW app is mandatory. Voters are encouraged to bring their own pen.

Three pre-poll centres are operating in the Cessnock local government area.

Polling booths will be open from 8am to 6pm Saturday, December 4.

You must vote within your local government area, and while you can vote at any booth in the LGA, it's recommended that you vote in your own ward, as some of the smaller booths may not have ballot papers for all wards.

Cessnock's polling booths are located at: