After losing a seat in the P.E.I. legislature by just two votes, Progressive Conservative candidate Mary Ellen McInnis has officially asked for a judicial recount.
McInnis challenged Liberal incumbent and cabinet minister Alan McIsaac for the District 5 riding of Vernon River-Stratford in last week’s provincial election.
McIsaac eked out the narrowest of victories, with only two votes more than McInnis.
Now, McInnis has filed the paperwork and the required $200 fee asking for a judicial recount.
“Anybody would ask for a recount when there’s only two votes separating myself and Mr. McIsaac,” McInnis said.
“Certainly we’ve asked for a recount with the hope that there will be two ballots that can be overturned.”
Elections P.E.I. does not automatically perform recounts, but any candidate may apply for one within four days of determination day, which was Monday.
P.E.I. Chief Electoral Officer Gary MacLeod confirmed the recount in District 5 will take place May 19 under the supervision of a provincial judge.
“The judge will look at them, the candidate can be there with up to two agents, and they get an opportunity to look at the ballots,” MacLeod said. “But the judge gets the final say on whether each ballot will be counted.”
McInnis says she is hopeful there could be a changed result after this recount after speaking with newly elected PC MLA Darlene Compton.
Compton requested a recount after the 2011 election. She lost the seat she now holds four years ago to fisherman Charlie McGeoghegan by eight votes. Only one vote changed in that recount — it was for the Green party candidate and was declared a rejected ballot.
But McInnis says Compton told her they did also find three questionable ballots.
“It’s certainly possible, and there is a lot ballots to go through so we’re very hopeful that we can overturn the result.”
And if, after the recount, the judge determines McInnis and McIsaac to have the same number of votes, the tie will be broken by a coin toss, according to the P.E.I. Elections Act.
Candidates in other ridings who may be considering asking for a recount have until Friday to file a petition to the Chief Justice of the provincial court.
PC Leader Rob Lantz has indicated he is considering requesting a recount after losing in Charlottetown-Brighton by 24 votes.
A spokesman for the PC party told The Guardian no final decision has yet been made whether a recount will be requested by Lantz or any other PC candidate.
McIsaac could not be reached for comment.
After losing a seat in the P.E.I. legislature by just two votes, Progressive Conservative candidate Mary Ellen McInnis has officially asked for a judicial recount.
McInnis challenged Liberal incumbent and cabinet minister Alan McIsaac for the District 5 riding of Vernon River-Stratford in last week’s provincial election.
McIsaac eked out the narrowest of victories, with only two votes more than McInnis.
Now, McInnis has filed the paperwork and the required $200 fee asking for a judicial recount.
“Anybody would ask for a recount when there’s only two votes separating myself and Mr. McIsaac,” McInnis said.
“Certainly we’ve asked for a recount with the hope that there will be two ballots that can be overturned.”
Elections P.E.I. does not automatically perform recounts, but any candidate may apply for one within four days of determination day, which was Monday.
P.E.I. Chief Electoral Officer Gary MacLeod confirmed the recount in District 5 will take place May 19 under the supervision of a provincial judge.
“The judge will look at them, the candidate can be there with up to two agents, and they get an opportunity to look at the ballots,” MacLeod said. “But the judge gets the final say on whether each ballot will be counted.”
McInnis says she is hopeful there could be a changed result after this recount after speaking with newly elected PC MLA Darlene Compton.
Compton requested a recount after the 2011 election. She lost the seat she now holds four years ago to fisherman Charlie McGeoghegan by eight votes. Only one vote changed in that recount — it was for the Green party candidate and was declared a rejected ballot.
But McInnis says Compton told her they did also find three questionable ballots.
“It’s certainly possible, and there is a lot ballots to go through so we’re very hopeful that we can overturn the result.”
And if, after the recount, the judge determines McInnis and McIsaac to have the same number of votes, the tie will be broken by a coin toss, according to the P.E.I. Elections Act.
Candidates in other ridings who may be considering asking for a recount have until Friday to file a petition to the Chief Justice of the provincial court.
PC Leader Rob Lantz has indicated he is considering requesting a recount after losing in Charlottetown-Brighton by 24 votes.
A spokesman for the PC party told The Guardian no final decision has yet been made whether a recount will be requested by Lantz or any other PC candidate.
McIsaac could not be reached for comment.