Municipal Recounts Finished In Saint John, Norton

Two municipal election recounts in Greater Saint John have ended with no changes in the overall outcome.

In Saint John, Ward 4 candidate Gina Hooley requested a recount after finishing in third place, eight votes behind councillor-elect Paula Radwan and 21 votes behind Greg Stewart.

Elections New Brunswick spokesperson Paul Harpelle said Hooley and Radwan each received one additional vote as a result of the recount, which took place over the course of three days and ended at 1:30 p.m. Thursday.

Harpelle said there were two ballots, believed to have been mailed in, that the tabulation machine was unable to detect a vote for. When the ballots were examined during the recount, it was determined the votes were cast for Hooley and Radwan.

Councillors in Saint John are set to be sworn in during a ceremony on Monday evening. The event is not open to the public but will be live-streamed on YouTube and through Rogers TV.

Harpelle said a recount in Norton, which took place Wednesday, also ended with no change in the outcome.

Council candidate Jessica Freeze Snyder requested the recount after finishing in fifth place, one vote behind councillor-elect Jeff Gaunce.

According to Elections NB rules, non-elected candidates can request a recount if there is a difference of 25 votes or less between the candidate declared elected and the candidate not elected.

Harpelle said candidates have until end-of-day Friday to request a recount.