UPDATED 3.21pm: The Hamilton mayoralty race is tight with Andrew King slightly ahead with 8003 votes.

Paula Southgate sits in second place on 7863.

With the result so close, Hamilton might not know it's next mayor until tomorrow morning, after the special votes have been received as part of the preliminary results.

There is still more than 1000 special votes to be counted.

2016 Local Government Election Coverage

The remaining votes in the Hamilton mayoralty race, including the special votes will either be counted later tonight or tomorrow morning.

A spokesperson at the Hamilton City Council says confirmed results will be announced on Thursday October 13th.