Exactly 33,736 formal votes were made, including nearly 4000 online votes and over 1000 postal.

The final outcome of the election will not be known until after the distribution of preferences process, which is set to take place at 9am on Tuesday, December 21.

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The results will then be published on the NSW Electoral Commission website "about 15 minutes" after the calculation, returning officer Marjorie Kenna said.

Eight of the 43 candidates who took part in Wagga's election appear to have done enough to secure a spot.

These include Mick Henderson, Richard Foley, Dan Hayes, Amelia Parkins, Rod Kendall, Dallas Tout, Jenny McKinnon and Tim Koschel.

The distribution of preferences will determine whether Georgie Davies or Paul Funnell claim the ninth and final spot at the table.

Clean Out Council proved the most popular group in the election, picking up 8587 first-preference votes - enough for 25.45 per cent of the total.

Labor were just behind the leaders having secured 7774 first-preferences - 23.04 per cent.

The next most popular groups were Supporting Diversity with 12.26 per cent, Community First with 10.03 per cent and The Greens with 9.14 per cent.

The rate of informal votes dropped as postal and online votes were added to the official tally over the past two weeks but still ended at a record 12.14 per cent, meaning 4661 residents had their ballots scrapped.

Local government areas across the state have had to wait significantly longer than usual for the final results due to the Electoral Commission extending the deadline for postal votes due to COVID-19.

Lynne Bodell, secretary of the Wagga Residents and Ratepayers Association, said the drawn-out counting process was unavoidable but "frustrating" for the community.

"It's a necessary evil for the process to run out but there's not a lot we can do about it we just have to be patient," Dr Bodell said.

"It's frustrating obviously for everyone involved. The ratepayers group is waiting to have a chat to the new councillors and we'd like to expedite that as much as possible."

Candidate and former councillor Rod Kendall was concerned the timing of the results would make it hard for council to prepare for the opening January 10 meeting.

"The final election list won't be known until just before Christmas and then it will be really difficult for all the councillors and staff to get together before the first meeting," Mr Kendall said.

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