Fate of Thompson's 8th council seat in hands of provincial judge after election night tie

The fate of Thompson, Man.'seighth council seat may hinge on one ballot.

Wednesday's municipal election ended with a tie between candidates Chiew Chong and Andre Proulx, at 1,008 votes each.

But election official Dave Turpie said a review of the ballots during the municipal election found a single ballot with an ambiguous mark on it a ballotTurpiesays didn't seem to have a mark indicating a vote for councillor.

"We then called the candidates in today to review itand showed them the mark that was in the mayoral section of the ballot. It was not in the council portion or the trustee area," he said.

Because the two candidates objected to the idea of rejecting the ballot, the decision over what to do with it now must go before a provincial judge.

If the judge determines the ballot did, in fact, represent a vote in favour of one of the candidates, that candidate would win, Turpie explained.

If not, the city must call a byelection, and start the whole process of voting for the council seat over again.

That means other candidates could throw their hat in the ringtoo, Turpie said.

Voters electedColleen Smookas Thompson's first female mayor, andre-electedcouncillors Judy Kolada, Duncan Wong and Kathy Valentino on Wednesday.

The northern city also elected four new councillors: Earl Colbourne, Les Ellsworth, Jeff Fountain andBrian Lundmark.