A recount has been requested for the closely contested race in Ward 12 for city councillor between Mike Jamieson of A Better Calgary and Sarah Ferguson of the Calgary Party. The city has confirmed that Jamieson is leading Ferguson by a margin of 29 votes based on unofficial results.
Following a review of the unofficial results, a city news release has indicated that there were enough rejected ballots, aside from those with no votes cast by electors, that could impact the outcome of the Ward 12 councillor election. In accordance with provincial laws, the recount will be overseen by Calgary’s returning officer, Kate Martin, who will reexamine all ballots cast in the Ward 12 councillor race from all polling stations within the ward.
The recount is scheduled to take place at the Big Four Roadhouse on Thursday at 9 a.m. MT. Meanwhile, a request for a preliminary recount in the Ward 9 councillor race was denied by Martin. After careful evaluation of the information provided, she concluded that there were insufficient grounds to challenge the accuracy of the vote count.
Unofficial results show that independent candidate Harrison Clark emerged victorious with 4,845 votes in Ward 9, followed by Gar Gar, another independent candidate, who received 267 fewer votes. Martin considered various circumstances under which a preliminary recount could be initiated as per the Local Authorities Election Act but found no compelling reasons to proceed with a recount.
Official results for Calgary’s election are expected to be released by noon on Friday.
