UPDATE: Cindy Fortin will continue as the mayor of Peachland. The decision came down to a “drawing of lot” which means a name was essentially pulled out of a hat after Monday’s judicial recount once again determined a tie. Fortin and challenger Harry Gough were tied at 804 votes each.
WATCH BELOW: Watch the name being pulled out of a box to determine who will be the mayor of Peachland after judicial recount verifies a tie.
UPDATE: The judicial recount in Peachland is being presided over by provincial court Judge Ellen Burdett. Global Okanagan reporter Kelly Hayes reports from the scene the recount, which is being done by hand, is moving along faster than expected.
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Both mayoral hopefuls Cindy Fortin (incumbent) and Harry Gough are watching the recount.
Despite previously stating that he will go to B.C. Supreme Court about how the initial recount was handled, claiming ballot boxed weren’t properly sealed, Gough said Monday he will not be taking those concerns to court.
Global Okanagan will livestream the results when they become available.
A judicial recount will take place in Peachland Monday in an effort to determine who will be the community’s mayor after a tie between incumbent mayor Cindy Fortin and challenger Harry Gough.
A provincial court judge said Friday the recount will be done by hand and will likely take all day to complete.
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READ MORE: Peachland mayor judicial recount to take place Monday
Municipal election results on Oct. 20 initially declared Gough as the winner by just one vote.
However, a recount found the vote actually produced a tie, with Fortin and Gough receiving 804 votes each after one ballot was not properly fed when a voting machine jammed.
That tie led to a judicial recount hearing in provincial court last Friday, when it was determined the judicial recount would take place Monday.
If a tie is verified, the race for the community’s top job comes down to mere luck, because it’s basically pulling a name out of a hat.
Both Fortin and Gough were calling for a run-off vote but under Peachland’s bylaws, if the vote is still tied after a judicial recount, the winner would be chosen by the “drawing of lot” at provincial court.
READ MORE:‘ This isn’t a hockey game’: Peachland mayoral race could be decided by draw
The recount begins at 10 a.m. at the Peachland Community Centre.
More to come.
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