MORRIS-TURNBERRY – A candidate from the municipal election has requested a recount.
Christopher Michie, who was one of six candidates seeking four councillor seats, asked the Municipality of Morris-Turnberry for a recount on Oct. 31.
“I am asking to verify the numbers, since they are so close,” Michie wrote in his email to Kim Johnston, returning officer for Morris-Turnberry. “It’s for (me) and my supports’ peace of mind that they are verified accurate. I wouldn’t be doing my own due diligence if I didn’t ask.”
Michie finished fifth in the six-person race, one vote shy of the fourth-place finisher, Jodi Snell. Michie received 586 votes, while Snell received 587 votes. Current Deputy Mayor Sharen Zinn, who finished third, received 590 votes.
Kevin Freiburger received the most votes at 720, while Jamie McCallum was second with 689 votes. Dale McFarlan finished sixth with 328 votes.
At council’s Nov. 1 meeting, CAO Trevor Hallam explained that Morris-Turnberry’s current procedures do not “contemplate a recount as requested by a candidate or anybody else,” however there are provisions in the Municipal Elections Act that allow for a recount if a resolution is passed by council within 30 days of the election results being declared.
If approved by council, Hallam said, the recount would take place on Wednesday, Nov. 9 at noon.
“One of the requirements is (the votes) are tabulated in the same way as it was the first time,” said Hallam.
The municipality used Simply Voting, an independent firm that tabulates voting results and is used by a number of other area municipalities, including North Huron. Hallam explained the current results would be “locked in,” the system cleared, and the votes would be tabulated once again using the same process as election night.
“Then the results can be compared,” he said.
Zinn spoke in support of the recount.
“I think it’s a reasonable request,” she said. “I’m sure anybody with one vote difference would do the same thing.”
Council approved the request and passed a resolution to hold the recount.
