3 recounts will settle tie votes

Elections New Brunswick is moving forward with official recounts in three municipal races that ended in a tie and there is the possibility that 42 other races could end up being reviewed.

When the final votes were scanned on Monday night, there were ties in Bertrand, Cambridge Narrows and Saint-Louis-de-Kent.

There are automatic recounts to determine the winner between Huguette Thriaultand Jean-Yves Thriault in Bertrand, Wendy Auneand Nancy McConnachie in Cambridge Narrows, and Carmen Daigleand Roland Gallant in Saint-Louis-de-Kent.

If the recount still ends in a tie, the candidates can agree to put their names in a box and have the winner's name drawn that way. The candidates could alsoopt for a judicial recount to decide the election.

But there could be recounts in as many as 42 other communities based on Monday night's results.

Candidates who come within 25 votes have the option of filing for an officialrecount.

For instance, former Progressive Conservative MLA Michael (Tanker) Malley lost his bid for re-election to Miramichi city council by three votes.

Elections New Brunswick will offer candidates the ability to view the ballots cast for them to see if they believe there were any issues. The candidates could decide, based on looking at the ballots, to forgo a recount.

But if they are still interested in having a recount, they must file an application with Elections New Brunswick by May 24.

If they are not satisfied with the recount, they could apply for a judicial recount to review the ballots.

There are a few communities that could see multiple recounts to settle some close races, including Upper Miramichi, Saint-Andr, Belledune and Bath.

The mayors' races that could be subject to a recount include, Upper Miramichi, Plaster Rock, Nackawic and Bath.