October 26, 2018

News Release from the City of Thompson

THOMPSON, MB – Following a review of the results by City officials, Elections Manitoba, and the candidates tied for the 8th council seat, the results of the City of Thompson’s 2018 Municipal Election will be subjected to a judicial recount, where the results will be reviewed by a provincial judge. All other results are now declared official.

A review of the ballots collected during the 2018 Municipal Election found that a single ballot was rejected due to improper marking on the ballot: The City of Thompson’s By-law 1912-2014, s. 6(c) states that “the elector may vote only by making an acceptable mark on the ballot.” Section 2 of the same bylaw defines an “acceptable mark” as a mark “made by an elector on a ballot in the space provided opposite the name of any candidate, which the vote tabulator unit is able to record.”

Both candidates have objected to the rejection of the ballot, the rejected ballot will be subjected to the review of a provincial judge, as per Section 120(1) of The Municipal Councils and School Boards Elections Act (MCSBEA). The review will likely be restricted to a review of the individual ballot, and a judgement will be made whether the marking is considered valid.

Should the reviewing judge deem that the rejection stands, the seat will be declared vacant, and a city-wide by-election will be formally called following the declaration in order to fill the position, as per Section 118 of the MCSBEA.