Lachlan Shire's Ward E will go to a by-election after the NSW Electoral Commission (NSWEC) confirmed that only one candidate was accepted for the area.

Under election rules, if a ward or council does not field enough candidates to fill all seats, the vacancies need to be filled at a by-election.  

Lachlan's five wards are allotted two seats each.

Resident Judith Bartholomew said she had nominated before the 12pm deadline on August 14 for Ward E, but had had her application rejected.

"It wasn't until 4:30 in the afternoon on Wednesday that I got an email saying it was rejected," she said.

"I'm feeling a little bit disappointed.

"But I'll definitely be going for the by-election."

Just over 6000 people live in Lachlan Shire, around 2500 in Condobolin. IMAGE: NSW Government

A NSWEC spokesperson said they cannot speak to individual nominations, "but can say that nominations must have been validly completed by the close of the nomination period to be accepted."

"If a nomination were ultimately found to be defective, the candidate or their representative or the Registered Officer (or Deputy Registered Officer) as appropriate, was informed where time permitted. It was then their responsibility to rectify and re-lodge any defective nomination by 12noon, nomination day," the spokesperson said.

"At all elections, It is recommended that all nominations are lodged as early as possible so that any defects, which may be found during the checking process, can be fixed in time.

"If compliance with the necessary requirements was not met by 12noon nomination day, the nomination was rejected."

In Lachlan Shire, Ward C covers a portion of Condobolin township and an area to the south west. SOURCE: NSWEC

All other wards in the shire, barring Ward C, will have no election since they had two nominations.

In Lachlan's case, if only two candidates are running in a ward, the candidates go through and there is no contest.

Ward C voters will have a choice between three candidates: Juanita Wighton, Thomas Macartney and Peter Harris.

Lachlan Shire Council declined to comment about the upcoming by-election.

Lachlan isn't the only shire to not hold contests this election.

Warren Shire voters will also not go to the polls in Wards A, B and D, which require more than three candidates to hold contest.

Ward C in Warren Shire encompasses much of the Warren township. SOURCE: NSWEC

In Warren's Ward C, there were five candidates: Dwyn Davis, David Cleasby, Joanne Van Eldonk, Roslyn Jackson and Mark Kelly.

Cobar and Warrumbungle shires won't hold a race at all, with only just enough candidates accepted to fill all seats.