A NEW South Ward councillor could be elected into the City of Ballarat in the coming months if Joshua Morris joins state parliament.
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If Cr Morris left the council it would not trigger a by-election, but it would result in another councillor for the South Ward being appointed based on a countback of votes in the previous council elections in 2012.
Cr Morris said he would immediately stand down as a councillor if he was elected.
According to the Victorian Electoral Commission website, the leading candidate based on first preferences would be Jim Rinaldi, who gathered 2930 votes ahead of Stephen Pelchen with 1726 votes.
Mr Pelchen was followed by Greens candidate and solicitor David Elridge with 1292 votes.
Mr Rinaldi could not be reached for comment before The Courier went to print, however Mr Pelchen said if the opportunity to join the council rose he would seriously consider it.
"It's a big decision but yes I would consider it," Mr Pelchen said.
"It is disappointing to hear of people not finishing their tenure or following through on their commitments."
Mr Elridge also said he welcomed the opportunity to be appointed a councillor.
Victorian Electoral Commission spokeswoman Sue Lang said the mostly likely process would be an electronic countback with the leading candidate elected as councillor if they still had an interest in the role.
She said that the candidate would have 48 hours to accept the role.
Ms Lang said Cr Morris would not have to resign as a councillor unless he was formally elected to state parliament in November.