Vote counting for the Berrigan Shire by-election concluded on Monday, December 9, with Sharon Dennis retaining her lead and looking likely to be elected.
But with votes close, the result could not be formally declared until after the period for the election to be challenged passed.
Ms Dennis was reluctant to comment on the results until after the deadline had passed, but expressed excitement at the prospect of being inducted as a councillor.
She exceeded the progressing quota after more than 400 preference votes had been allocated.
At the conclusion of counting, she had a progressive total of 1575.
It consisted of 1358 first preference votes and 217 votes distributed.
Fellow candidate Trevor Hibbert had 1499 votes at the conclusion of counting, including 1299 first preference votes and 200 votes distributed.
Myles Humphries was excluded from the election before the distribution of preferences, with 1197 first preference votes.
If there is no challenge, Ms Dennis will join the eight member council alongside Mayor Julia Cornwell McKean, deputy mayor Renee Paine, John Stringer, Katie Ngatokoa, Matthew Hannan, Renee Brooker and Catherine Healy.
Ms Dennis has been living in Tocumwal since 2014, and said as a councillor she hopes to support and champion the region as a great place to live, work and play.
Before voters went to the polls, she said topics she would like to address as a councillor included phone and internet service issues, health, employment and tourism and development.
Now running a business at Tocumwal aerodrome with her partner, Ms Dennis has experience as a university lecturer, nurse and business owner.