VOTE counting in the Swan Hill Council election has begun, with close 2000 ballots counted in the first preference race.

Incumbent Stuart King led on Wednesday afternoon with 360 votes followed by Terry Jennings (276), Les McPhee (212), Lindsay Rogers (167), Phillip Englefield (163), Peta Thornton (127) and Nicole McKay (118).

The next closest was Hugh Broad with 94 votes, while Kelly Stevens wa...