Victory tough but not impossible for coalition: Baird

At the end of a months' long state election campaign, a former NSW premier believes a historic fourth term could be on the cards for the coalition led by Premier Dominic Perrottet.

Former Liberal premier Mike Baird said a coalition victory was still possible but the road was difficult, he told the Nine Network.

"There is a pathway, but it's tough," Mr Baird told the Nine Network ahead of polls closing on Saturday.

"I think everyone's nervous and I'm sure the Labor Party are as well."

The most recent Newspoll is predicting victory for NSW Labor, with Labor leading the coalition 54.5 to 45.5.

Education Minister and Nationals MP Sarah Mitchell said her nerves were in check after spending time working the polling booths in recent weeks.

"I don't think the baseball bats are out for the government but I think it's going to come down seat by seat."

Her party hopes to retain the 12 seats they hold, with ambitions for other regional seats including Greens-held Ballina, and former Shooters Fishers and Farmers seats of Barwon and Murray, now held by independents.

Earlier, pink cupcakes, blue shirts and plenty of sausages greeted the premier while casting his vote alongside his wife Helen and the couple's youngest daughter, Celeste.

"It's a very important day for the future of our state - there's a lot at stake," he told reporters at Beecroft in his seat of Epping in northwest Sydney.

"Our party has been a team for over 12 years that has transformed NSW ... We've turned the economy around, built the schools and hospitals, the trains and motorways that's transformed people's lives."

He also lauded the coalition's economic credentials for getting families through rampant inflation.

"You can't support households if you don't have a strong budget. It is strong economic and financial management that ensures downward pressure on household budgets ... and we've done that."

Treasurer Matt Kean, who reportedly has a testy and pragmatic relationship with the premier, was coy about his political ambitions after a possible coalition loss.

When asked if he would seek the party leadership, he described the premier as a great conservative premier.

"The key things is that we ensure we hold our heartland seats ... History is against us ... We don't intend to lose tonight," he told Sky News, referring to teal challenges in Sydney's east and north.