The Post travelled to towns across the county gauging the mood of voters as they decide who should control the half-billion annual budget at County Hall.
And with unemployment in the county hitting more than 35,000 people – it is clear that a vision for boosting jobs is something people want to see.
First-time voter Simon Little, from Hucknall, said that after a couple of years of joblessness, he was basing his vote on who he thought could help him up on the career ladder.
He said: "I'm 26 and have never really taken an interest in politics because I thought that nothing could really make a difference.
"But it's got to the point where something huge needs to be done. People like me are being forgotten about and I think that Labour have the right answers to get jobs in Hucknall."
But Joyce Clarke, 73, disagreed. She said: "The Conservatives have spent money wisely in the county and I think they are best-placed to help."
Despite this being a local election, another issue that voters raised with the Post was Europe, raising the prospect that UKIP might influence the outcome. Even senior Conservative Martin Suthers said last night: "It's anyone's guess what the UKIP impact will do to the election."
Labour lost control of County Hall to the Conservatives in 2009 after 28 years in power. Those elections were held in the wake of the MPs expenses scandal and a large level of dissatisfaction with Prime Minister Gordon Brown.
Mr Suthers said: "I think that this is the most unpredictable election I can remember. Some people will stay at home because of the national situation. I have met a lot of positive people that have shown us support.
"I think that our voters are turning out to support us. I am hoping that we will get a majority win or at least remain the largest party."
The mood among the Labour party was positive last night and they will be hoping to have done enough to overturn the Conservative majority.
Leader Alan Rhodes said: "We have had a very strong campaign and we are getting some good feedback. The turnout has been relatively low and I don't really know why.
"It could possibly be that the Conservative voters are staying at home because they are disillusioned.
"We are predicting a Labour win and we are also confident that we will get it but I do also think that it will be very tight.
"I am confident that our candidates have done enough."
The Liberal Democrats currently have nine seats on the council and Broxtowe leader David Watts said he expected to keep the five in his patch.
He said: "We are not immune from the national picture, but the vote here is strong.
"Whether that's because people vote for us as people or as Liberal Democrats, I don't know.
"But I am confident that we will keep all the seats we have here."
Six hundred polling stations were open from 7am to 10pm yesterday – and the ballot boxes were sealed overnight and will be cracked open and counted in the districts today.
The first results are expected around lunchtime with the winners and losers being revealed by teatime.
