Just missing out on being elected by four votes, Ms Circuitt said it left “little margin for error”.
Her request for a recount was approved by the Electoral Commissioner on Wednesday.
It means initial plans to induct nine councillors this coming Tuesday will be delayed.
While the Australian Electoral Commission did not provide an exact date the recount would take place, Edward River Council suggested it would not take place until next week.
The AEC reported its final count results for the Edward River Council election on Monday evening, declaring the election won.
The top nine candidates, after completing first preference counts and the distribution of preferences, were: Kellie Crossley, Ashley Hall, Craig Druitt, Frank Schofield, Leanne Mulham, Shirlee Burge, Ken Bates, Linda Fawns and Shannon Sampson.
The AEC did specify that both Mrs Fawns and Mr Sampson were elected without reaching the quota of 497.
On the basis of the results, council announced on Tuesday that the first meeting of the new council would be held this coming Tuesday, October 8 for induction and the election of mayor and deputy mayor.
This has now been delayed due to the recount, with a new date dependent on when results are known.
“A candidate for September’s local government election for Edward River Council has lodged a request for a recount due to a very close election result,” council released in a statement.
“The New South Wales Electoral Commissioner has approved the request, and the recount will commence next week.
“Edward River Council is keeping in close contact with the New South Wales Electoral Commission’s returning officer for Edward River and will keep the community informed as further information comes to hand.”
Mrs Circuitt said the results were just too close not to ask for further investigation.
“I felt the margin for error was just too small not to have a go,” she said.
“It the gap had been by 10 or more votes, I might not have worried.
“The reality is that Shannon may pick up more votes in the recount, or I might, or it may not change at all.
“But I felt I owed it to the people who voted for me, and those who preferenced me second, to try.
“Now we just have to wait and see what happens.”
An AEC spokesperson said the date and time of the recount, and number of scrutineers that can be appointed to oversee the process, will be “communicated to candidates shortly”.
21°C