Baie-d’Urfé mayor says electing councillors by district could avoid ballot-counting delays

The re-elected mayor of Baie-d’Urfé, Maria Tutino, says revamping the way councillors are elected could prevent ballot-counting delays.

Sunday night, the town was left waiting longer than others for results in the 2017 municipal elections.

READ MORE: Baie-d’Urfé results in Montreal 2017 elections

Baie-d’Urfé was the last town on the island of Montreal to release results.

Tutino said slow tallying is common in Baie-d’Urfé because voters select seven names on a 20-candidate ballot.

READ MORE: Valérie Plante elected first female mayor of Montreal

One of those votes is for mayor and six are for councillors.

WATCH BELOW: The day after the Montreal elections

4:07 Montreal elections 2017: The day after

Tutino is suggesting that candidates run to represent specific districts.

Get breaking National news

For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.

Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up

By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

Residents would then vote for two positions: the councillor for their district and the mayor.

READ MORE: Live results across Greater Montreal

Tutino said this could provide more comprehensive communication between residents and the government as residents would have a primary contact for issues in their neighbourhood.

Currently, residents often go straight to the mayor with their concerns.

WATCH BELOW: Issues in Baie-d’Urfé

2:41 Baie d’Urfé sound wall

• Baie d’Urfé sound wall
• Baie d’Urfé transit
• Baie d’Urfé land vote causes controversy

Previous Video

Next Video

Districts would be divided by geography, rather than demographically.

However, drawing equal districts could prove to be a challenge when considering commercial and industrial areas.

READ MORE: Denis Coderre ‘quitting political life’ after losing Montreal mayoral race to Valérie Plante

The mayor admitted a district-divided Baie-d’Urfé could still face challenges.

Councillors who only need to cater to their district could potentially alienate residents in other parts of the town, she said.

WATCH BELOW: Valérie Plante elected mayor of Montreal

2:39 Valérie Plante speaks after winning election

• Valérie Plante speaks after winning election
• Denis Coderre speaks after losing election
• Jim Beis reacts after Denis Coderre loses election
• Councillor says Valerie Plante’s election ‘rejection’ of Montreal administration

Previous Video

Next Video

Such a system may also encourage councillors to pay less attention to the concerns of residents that might not affect a majority vote.

READ MORE: Your guide to voting in Montreal’s 2017 municipal election

She said this isn’t the first time Baie-d’Urfé has considered dividing the town into districts, but did not confirm if she will address the election process in her coming term.

Luca Caruso-Moro is a journalism student from Concordia University who gathered election data for Global News in Baie-d’Urfé.