Four candidates will be fighting it out today for a seat on Caerphilly County Borough Council.
The by-election was prompted by the resignation of long-standing Blackwood councillor Kevin Etheridge.
Popular and well-known in the community for his work, Independent councillor Mr Etheridge was first elected in 1999 and stood down in April because of personal reasons.
Mr Etheridge’s father passed away earlier this year and he also has a grandson being treated in Great Ormond Street Hospital.
The ex-councillor, who was widely respected by residents and fellow council members, was also the subject of an investigation by the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales into childcare allowance claims he received.
The subsequent report criticised Mr Etheridge for the claims totalling thousands of pounds.
The investigation was prompted by a complaint by former Labour Blackwood councillor Nigel Dix, who is looking to make a comeback by standing in today’s by-election.
Mr Dix is fighting former Blackwood town mayor Andrew Farina-Childs, who is standing for Plaid Cymru, Independent candidate Claire Caple and Tory Ian Chivers.