Human error is responsible for an incorrect municipal election result in the City of Armstrong.
Originally it was reported that Helen Jackson had received the sixth and final councillor’s seat after Saturday’s ballot with a total of 425 votes, 22 more than the seventh-place finisher, Lance McGregor.
But a double check of the results Monday morning showed McGregor actually had 473 votes, meaning he finished sixth, earning a councillor’s seat.
Jackson’s results were unchanged.
Votes in Armstrong are counted by hand.
“The error does not have to do with the counting of the votes by the poll clerks,” said chief election officer Natalie Garbay in a press release issued Monday.
Garbay said it was her mistake.
“The error was made by the chief election officer when the subtotals were added up,” she said. “I have re-checked the subtotals for all candidates and the only change was to the final total for candidate Lance McGregor.”
The votes were hand-counted in tandem and results verified every 50 ballots.
Both candidates have been informed of the mistake.
As of Monday morning, nobody had asked for a recount of the votes.
Incumbents Shirley Fowler, Paul Britton and Ron (Sully) O’Sullivan placed first, second and fourth. respectively, in the balloting to retain their seats.
They will be joined on council by newcomers Steven Drapala (third in voting), Linda Werner (fifth) and McGregor.
See Wednesday’s Morning Star for more on this story.
