Two candidates tied in preliminary by-election results

TUMBLER RIDGE, B.C. — Preliminary results in the Tumbler Ridge by-election show two candidates are tied with the same number votes.

Both Don McPherson and Keith Bertrand received 108 votes in the District of Tumbler Ridge by-election on April 12th. 

The other two candidates, David Thompson and Natasha Dougherty, received 79 and 30 votes respectively. 

Tumbler Ridge’s elections office told Energeticcity.ca the ‘official’ results will be posted by Wednesday, April 16th at 4:00 p.m. at the latest.

Adriana Alves, chief election officer for Tumbler Ridge, said she will review the ballots and all election material on April 15th. 

“The next step is to do the determination of official results … all the candidates were invited to come and I will review all the election materials,” said Alves.

“I’ll review the ballots, I can recount some or all the ballots, I can review and reverse decisions on acceptance and rejection of ballots, and then I will finalize the official vote totals based on those decisions.”

According to Alves, if there is still a tie after her review, then there will be a judicial recount. This is a court-supervised process in which the ballots are counted again.

If there is still a tie, a winner will be determined by a draw overseen by the court under the District of Tumbler Ridge Election and Assent Voting Bylaw 710, 2022. 

“I would like to assure the electors of Tumbler Ridge and region that all normal processes and protocols are strictly being complied with,” said Alves.

The polling was held after former councillor Ken Klikach resigned from his position in January.

 The district council will operate as normal until a new councillor is elected.