Duke is ready to lead in Sorell

John, the Duke of Avram - his official title on the ballot - will find out today if his tilt for Sorell mayor was successful.

If so, it would be his second time as a Sorell councillor, having served as its deputy mayor in the late 90s.

Before that he roamed Tasmanian parliament as the Liberal MHA for Lyons from 1989 to 1992.

Politician is probably among his less adventurous job titles given he's being called the ruler of a micro-nation, which he said is wrong, not to mention a knight, a baron and a banker.

Not any banker but the head of the Royal Bank of Avram which has gone about printing its own currency since the 1980s.

It was this last pursuit which saw him in court when the Commonwealth got slightly annoyed that the Duke was running what it said was an unlicensed bank.

He said it cost the government $22 million over six cases yet it still lost and had to return his mint equipment which remains active.

"Even recently we've minted some one ounce platinum coins," he said.

These days Avram is less about territory and more about a philosophy as well as local Sorell issues.

"People feel disenfranchised in Sorell and that's really why I'm running," he said.

"There's no micro-nation there never has been, some people claim I've got one but all I want to see in life is the government - federal, state and local - follow the rules and work for the people."

The Duke said his past was more likely to be a hinderance than a help in getting elected.

"Now you might find out (today) I get 10 votes or something but you could equally find I get half the votes and get elected," he said.

Recent history doesn't bode well for the Duke. Last year he came last in the Sorell mayoral election also missing out on a councillor spot.

Today's by-election was caused by the stepping down of long-time former Sorell Mayor Carmel Torenius.

Other mayoral candidates include Kerry Degrassi, Sharon Prior and Kerry Vincent.