Monday night’s provincial election was a nailbiter, especially in a couple of ridings, which means there could be some recounts.
Saint John Harbour and Memramcook-Tantramar were won by 25 votes or less, while three other ridings were won by 100 votes or less.
Kim Poffenroth, the province’s chief electoral officer, told our newsroom returning officers have until Friday to officially declare their elected candidates.
After that, Poffenroth said any elector can apply for a recount within four days.
“If the difference in the number of votes is 25 or less, the judge automatically does the recount,” Poffenroth said.
#BREAKING: Elections NB declares Liberal candidate Gerry Lowe as elected in Saint John Harbour. He defeated PC candidate Barry Ogden by 10 votes. #nbvotes2018
— Brad Perry (@BradMPerry) September 25, 2018
But the recount is not automatic if the vote difference is more than 25, she said.
In those cases, Poffenroth said an elector would have to allege a procedural error of some sort.
“Either that the votes were counted improperly or that a ballot was rejected improperly, something along those lines has to be alleged,” she said, “and then it is up to the judge to decide whether or not it would be appropriate for a recount in that case.”
Poffenroth said any person who was eligible to vote in a particular riding is able to ask for a recount.
(Photo: Elections New Brunswick/submitted)
