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Candidates concerned about validity of EPSB trustee election following ballot error – Edmonton


Polling stations with incorrect ballots in Edmonton are inflicting concern concerning the upcoming election outcomes for some public faculty board trustee candidates.

Edmonton Elections mentioned voters got ballots for the unsuitable public faculty board wards. The group mentioned it is aware of of 60 voters who got here ahead concerning the unsuitable poll, however admitted there could have been extra.

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In an replace Thursday afternoon, Edmonton Elections mentioned it’s believed the problem is tied to elections staff not refreshing the “the place to vote” device in between voters. New processes had been carried out Thursday to make sure the proper ballots are given to voters, together with an enhanced, user-friendly “the place to vote” device.

Jan Sawyer, an Edmonton Public College Board trustee candidate, mentioned the scenario remains to be irritating, however added there isn’t a lot to be carried out till the election is over.

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“I’m involved concerning the validity. If an election is shut, then I feel somebody would have an actual purpose to contest it,” Sawyer mentioned. “There are some questions.”

“If individuals lose by massive gaps, it’s most likely fairly simple. However usually elections are a number of hundred votes aside. I don’t know what the answer is to that.”

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Sawyer mentioned she spoke with a metropolis rep from Edmonton Elections on Thursday afternoon, and requested if there can be a gathering between trustee candidates, and was advised there wouldn’t.

“I actually consider all of us want to listen to the identical message collectively so we might be positive we’re all listening to the identical factor,” she mentioned.

Learn extra:
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Trustee candidate Rebecca Graff-McRae mentioned something that would undermine the legitimacy of the result’s one thing that Edmonton Elections must be on high of.

“As candidates and voters, we need to put our religion within the system being correct and dependable,” she mentioned. “As soon as a vote is forged, you may’t uncast it and that’s essential for the integrity of the vote.”

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However Graff-McRae mentioned confidence may very well be restored with extra transparency from Edmonton Elections — she’d wish to have extra data on the scenario will probably be rectified, and higher communication for candidates.

“All of us discovered on social media. I don’t assume that ought to be the case,” Graff-McRae mentioned.

The ministry of municipal affairs mentioned although it has no function within the course of, it’s conscious of the error.

“We perceive that Edmonton Elections have already taken steps to mitigate the scenario from occurring sooner or later,” press secretary Justin Marshall mentioned in an announcement.

“If any candidate or elector needs to problem the legitimacy of an election, they might make an software to the Court docket of Queen’s Bench inside six weeks after an election. The end result of the problem can be decided by the courtroom.”

Edmonton Elections mentioned it has despatched an e-mail to all official candidates to tell them of the scenario in addition to steps it has taken to rectify the scenario. It mentioned it’s “intently monitoring the scenario and extra measures could also be taken on a case by case foundation.”

Graff-McRae mentioned the response shouldn’t be sufficient for her.

“Most candidates are nonetheless feeling at the hours of darkness. We’re counting on this assurance that it’s taken care of. That doesn’t appear to be a decision for the error that was occurring,” she mentioned. “It does really feel very regarding.”

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With recordsdata from Sarah Ryan.




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