A vote recount by Elections Calgary has affirmed Jeromy Farkas as the upcoming mayor of Calgary. Sonya Sharp, the second-place candidate, had requested the recount under the Local Authorities Election Act, which commenced at 9:30 a.m. on Monday.
Following the recount, Elections Calgary disclosed updated figures indicating Farkas secured 91,112 votes compared to Sharp’s 90,496, showcasing a margin of 616 votes between them. Initially, Farkas had garnered 91,071 votes, while Sharp had 90,490 votes before the recount, indicating both candidates gained additional votes during the recount process.
Sharp had emphasized the slim victory margin and challenging circumstances faced by election workers as reasons for requesting the recount. She acknowledged the efforts of the election staff but highlighted the potential for errors in stressful situations.
All mayoral votes in Calgary underwent recounting. Farkas is now scheduled to be inaugurated as Calgary’s next mayor on Wednesday at 6 p.m., alongside the newly elected council members.
In a released statement, Farkas extended gratitude to his campaign team, Elections Calgary, and volunteer scrutineers for overseeing this essential aspect of the democratic process. He mentioned the past week’s focus on assembling a capable city council team to serve Calgarians effectively.
Farkas also congratulated Sharp on her commendable campaign, expressing his wish for continued public service benefits to Calgarians. CBC News has contacted Sharp for her response to the recount results.