HomeMy WebLinkAboutCLD-027-14 Clarington
Clerk's
Report
If this information is required in an alternate accessible format, please contact the Municipal
Clerk at 905-623-3379 ext. 2102.
Report To: Council
Date of Meeting: October 31, 2014
Report Number: CLD-027-14
File Number: C07.RE By-law Number: N/A
Report Subject: 2014 Municipal Elections — Close Vote — Office of Regional
Councillor Wards 1 & 2
Recommendations:
a) That Report CLD-027-14 be received for information;
OR
b) That Report CLD-027-14 be received,
c) That, in accordance with the Municipal Elections Act, 1996, a recount be conducted for
votes cast during the 2014 Municipal Elections held in Clarington, for the Office of Regional
Councillor Wards 1 & 2 for the candidates Joe Neal and Mary Novak; and
d) That the Municipal Clerk advise all interested parties of Council's decision.
Municipality of Clarington
Report CLD-027-14 Page 2
Report Overview
The declared results for the Office of Regional Councillor Wards 1 & 2 for the Clarington
Municipal Elections held on October 27, 2014 resulted in Joe Neal receiving 3962 votes
and Mary Novak receiving 3959 votes. The Clerk's Office has received a number of
enquiries regarding the rules and procedures as they relate to a recount. Council may
exercise its right and resolve to require a recount. A required recount shall be
conducted by the Municipal Clerk in the same manner as the original count.
1 . Background
As Municipal Clerk, I serve as Returning Officer for the Municipality of Clarington
for municipal elections held in Clarington in accordance with the Municipal
Elections Act, 1996. In my capacity of Clerk/Returning Officer, I have several
duties and responsibilities, including ensuring that our candidates and electors
are informed of the various election related activities including significant dates,
voting opportunities, voting processes, and reporting obligations. Since the
unofficial results were posted on October 27, 2014, 1 have received a number of
inquiries regarding the close vote between candidates Joe Neal and Mary Novak,
and more specifically regarding recount rules and processes. This Report is
prepared to provide Council with a summary of the rules regarding recounts as
set out in the Act
In Section 56(1) of the Municipal Elections Act, 1996 (the Act) provides for a
mandatory recount for a tied vote in a Municipal Election.
Section 57(1) of the Act provides that Council may pass a resolution requiring a
recount of the votes cast for all or specified candidates for an office on the
Council.
The declared results for the Office of Regional Councillor Wards 1 & 2 for the
Clarington Municipal Elections held on October 27, 2014 resulted in Joe Neal
receiving 3962 votes and Mary Novak receiving 3959 votes.
Should Council wish to exercise its rights to request a recount in accordance with
Section 57(1) of the Act, the recount shall be conducted, as per Section 60 of the
Act, using the vote tabulators that were used to count ballots in the election.
Should Council pass a resolution to require a recount, the Municipal Clerk shall
conduct the recount within 15 days of the Council resolution, and a notice of
recount will be provided to the candidates.
Municipality of Clarington
Report CLD-027-14 Page 3
2. Concurrence
Not applicable.
3. Conclusion
The votes cast in Clarington's 2014 Municipal Elections, for candidates Joe Neal
and Mary Novak were separated by three votes. Section 57(1) of the Municipal
Elections Act; 1996 grants Council the authority to require the Clerk to conduct a
recount of the votes cast.
4. Strategic Plan Application
Not applicable.
Submitted by: Reviewed by:
C:Anh6,Gree I
#ee Franklin Wu,
Municipal Clerk Chief Administrative
Officer
Staff Contact: Anne Greentree, 905-623-3379 ext. 2102 or agreentree @clarington.net
Attachments: None
The following is a list of the interested parties to be notified of Council's decision:
Joe Neal
Mary Novak
Jim Abernethy
Deb Bowen, Regional Clerk/Director of Legislative Services, Regional Municipality of
Durham
CAG