Candidates Jonathan R. Alston and Leigh Bordley ran neck-and-neck in Tuesday's election. With all but the provisional ballots counted, Alston led with 36 percent of the votes to Bordley's 34.5 percent -- a margin of less than 1,000 votes.

Bordley may request a runoff because Alston did not gain more than 40 percent of the total votes cast for the office.

The Durham County Board of Elections will finalize election results in a week, after provisional ballots are counted, Director Mike Ashe said.

Bordley said she is prepared to challenge Alston again.

"I really feel confident about a runoff," she said.

Bordley has until May 15 to request a runoff, which would take place June 24.

Alston, Bordley and former teacher Nancy Cox, who won 28.8 percent of the turnout, were competing for the seat of current Vice Chairman Steve Schewel, who will step down in June.

Though Bordley won the most political endorsements, Alston credited his success to the key support of one group -- the Durham Committee on the Affairs of Black People.

The candidate who wins will join unopposed incumbents Minnie Forte-Brown and Heidi H. Carter.