Lytton mayoral tie heads to judicial recount

The village of Lytton, B.C., confirmed Monday that its mayoral race ended in a 45-45 tie between incumbent Denise O’Connor and challenger Jennifer Thoss, sending the contest to a judicial recount, Castanet reported.

Village officials confirmed the tie Monday morning after reviewing ballots, tally sheets and reconciliation records, according to Castanet. The tie was referred to a provincial court judge under the village’s election procedures bylaw and the Local Government Act, the outlet reported.

Castanet reported that the village has a week to apply and that the recount must be completed by Friday, Oct. 30. If the tie stands after the recount, the winner would be decided by drawing lots, the outlet said.

Turnout in Lytton was 92 ballots cast from 198 eligible voters, Castanet reported. The Vancouver Sun had reported on the weekend that the tie would likely trigger a judicial recount. All four council seats were filled in preliminary results: Venkat Sajja with 68 votes, Nonie McCann with 61, Melissa Michell with 54 and Jessoa Lightfoot with 52, according to Castanet.

In Cache Creek, election officials held a hand recount of ballots at noon Monday at the community hall because four votes separated the last elected councillor from the first candidate to miss out, Castanet reported. Only election officials and the two candidates were allowed to attend.

Preliminary results showed Sue Peters with 323 votes, Kelly Debert with 290 and David Dubois with 290 elected, with Carmen Ranta at 179 votes for the fourth seat and Karla Hein at 175, Castanet reported. Wendy Coomber was elected mayor with 219 votes, ahead of Annette Pittman with 102 and John Ranta with 74.

“It’s just a precaution,” deputy returning officer Bev Lievers told Castanet. Results were expected to be posted on social media shortly after the recount. The outcome of the recount had not been reported at the time of publication.

The close races follow a wave of upsets in Saturday’s vote, which we covered in our report on incumbent mayors falling across B.C. Turnout rose in many larger cities, as detailed in our story on civic turnout in Vancouver, Surrey and Burnaby. Another close contest, in Kelowna, is covered in our report on the Dyas and Cannan mayoral race.

All results are preliminary and unofficial until each municipality’s chief election officer declares them.

Via Castanet and The Vancouver Sun.

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