ELECTIONS 2010: Mayor and Ward 3 candidate want recounts

Following a three-vote loss in Wellington North council candidate Lisa Hern is looking for a recount of the Ward 3 tallies.

Now it seems mayoral candidate Mike Broomhead wants to see a recount as well.

Earlier this week, Hern emailed the Wellington Advertiser noting that she requested that council consider passing a resolution to allow for a recount of all votes cast for the office of councillor for ward 3, Township of Wellington North.

Certified ward 3 results of the Oct. 25 election in Wellington North placed Mark Goetz at 177 votes, Lisa Hern at 174 and Kevin Bodz at 110 votes.

A special meeting of council would be required to look at the request. As of press time, that meeting was set for Nov. 5. As various time for meetings were called and then cancelled, Mike Broomhead, who was defeated as mayor in the Oct. 25 election, also asked for a recount of all the mayoral votes.

Broomhead garnered 1,181 votes and lost to Ray Tout by 131 votes. However, overall there was only a 222 vote spread between Tout and third place candidate Ross Chaulk, who earned 1,090 votes.

The Municipal Elections Act requires a recount only when there is a tie vote.

Otherwise, candidates can seek a resolution of council directing the clerk to conduct a recount or they can go to court to ask for a judicial recount.

CAO/Clerk Lori Heinbuch estimated the Ward 3 recount could be done in-house at no additional cost since it only required a recount of six ballot boxes. Whether or not the recount will proceed will be a decision made at the special council meeting.