A first-term city councillor is tipped as the frontrunner to claim the Palmerston North mayoralty today.

Grant Smith is one of nine candidates hoping to replace Jono Naylor, who entered Parliament as a National MP last year.

Mr Smith says his relative inexperience shouldn't count against him.

"I've been on Council now for nearly two years, so I do understand local bodies. I've also done a lot of work around events and submissions. In a way while I might not have done a lot of work around one side of the Council table, I've done a lot of work around the other side."

Grant Smith says the city hasn't been sold well to date - and believes his business brain and community heart can help.

He says he can relate to residents at the street level, but also improve the city's reputation and encourage more investment.

Nine people have contested the by-election, with voting closing at midday today after a three-week voting period.

Returning officer John Annabell says more than 37% of forms were returned by yesterday.

He says turnout is on track to be higher than the last local body elections in 2013 - and that's surprising, given by-elections normally have a lower turnout.

The winner after a three week by-election is set to be declared at 7pm.