THE moment of truth has arrived, as votes start to be counted to determine who will take over from Lawrence Springborg as our new elected member of parliament.

Stay tuned as we provide up-to-date news as votes continue to come in.

The Liberal Nationals were heavy favourites coming into the vote ($1.11), ahead of One Nation ($5.50), Labor ($34) and the Greens ($51).

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UPDATE 8.30PM

As we move through the ballot papers (68.61% counted), the Liberal Nationals have taken a clear lead in the Southern Downs:

LISTER (LNP) - 40.39%

COYNE (ONE NATION) - 21.26%

RICHTERS (ALP) - 17.29%

MACKENZIE (INDEPENDENT) - 15.9%

VAN GEUNS (GREENS) - 4.42%

NAUSS (INDEPENDENT) - 0.82%

UPDATE 7.50PM -

With 44.56% of the votes counted:

LISTER (LNP) - 39.82%

COYNE (ONE NATION) - 20.92%

MACKENZIE (INDEPENDENT) - 17.2%

RICHTERS (ALP) - 16.75%

VAN GEUNS (GREENS) - 4.42%

NAUSS (INDEPENDENT) - 0.82%

UPDATE 7.05PM -

Voting is underway in the Southern Downs, with LNP's James Lister taking an early advantage.

With 3.36% of the votes counted:

LISTER (LNP) - 38.22%

MACKENZIE (INDEPENDENT) - 21.75%

COYNE (ONE NATION) - 19.28%

RICHTERS (ALP) - 15.52%

VAN GEUNS (GREENS) - 4.42%

NAUSS (INDEPENDENT) - 0.82%

UPDATE 6.30PM -

Candidates have their final say as votes begin to be tallied:

Joel Richters - It's been a good day. Everyone has been working together really hard and we'll see what the result is probably before 10pm tonight. I wish all the candidates the best and catching up with not only then, but everyone in the electorate to get ready for the election in 2020.

Robert Mackenzie - It was a great day, all done all we can, I think it will be close and come down to preferences. I have made this seat marginial, and money will be spent on the Southern Downs no matter the result, and I am happy with that.

Antonia van Geuns - I think it feels like we've done pretty well in the south-east. I'm not too sure how the counter-balance of One Nation will go in the regional areas. It's been a great opportunity to get out and meet the locals, the campaign had some good vibes and I'm optimistic things are moving in the right direction for the Greens.

Jay Nauss - I'm going to let nature take its course. I had the chance to drop down to a couple of polling booths today. I tried to get some ideas out there, but I'm unsure how the vote will go. (At booths they should) let people just come in and have their vote.

James Lister - We're buoyant and hopeful. I've spent the day in Warwick. WIRAC is the biggest booth and I'm hoping to meet as many people personally as I can. The feedback from the team is that things have been running smoothly. We definitely can't tell what is going to happen until they count the votes.

Josh Coyne - We can just see how it all goes, all we can do is wait patiently. I'm not nervous, but there's nothing you can do about it now, so it's mixed emotions at the moment. What will be will be, and I wish everyone the best of luck.