If previous elections are any indication, it is possible some of the election results in Summerland’s upcoming municipal election will be close.
The last election, held in November, 2014, saw Mayor Peter Waterman defeat his closest rival, Roch Fortin, by just 77 votes.
There were fewer than 200 votes separating Waterman and the fourth-place finisher in the close five-candidate mayoral race that year.
And among the council candidates, the results were even tighter.
Of the six councillors who were elected that year, Doug Holmes, the sixth-place finisher, won his seat by just 45 votes.
Holmes received 1,650 votes while John Dorn, the seventh-place candidate, received 1,605 votes in the election.
Summerlanders also had a close council election in 2011, when Lloyd Christopherson, the sixth-place finisher that year, had just 45 more votes than Ken Roberge, the seventh-place finisher.
Christopherson had 1,298 votes, compared with 1,243 for Roberge.
The 2002 municipal election was even closer, as Rick Cogbill had 26 more votes than Bob Carter.
That year, Cogbill finished with 1,549 votes to take the sixth council seat while Carter received 1,523 votes.
The election for a mayor, six municipal councillors and two school trustees will be held on Saturday, Oct. 20 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Voting is at Summerland Secondary School and Giant’s Head Elementary School.
Advance voting will be held on Oct. 16 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at municipal hall.
Those voting in the election must be 18 years of age or older on election day, be a Canadian citizen and have been a resident of British Columbia for at least six month before registering to vote.
They must have lived in or owned property in the jurisdiction for at least 30 days before they register to vote.
The new mayor and council will have their inaugural council meeting on Nov. 5.
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