The runner-up in Calgary’s mayoral race last week has called for a recount of the results. Sonya Sharp, who lost to Jeromy Farkas on election day, made a formal request of Elections Calgary for the ballots to be counted again. “Calgarians deserve absolute confidence that every vote has been counted accurately and that the process is beyond reproach,” said Sharp in a statement. “This request is about strengthening trust in the system.” According to Calgary’s official election results released last week, Sharp lost the mayor’s chair to Farkas, who won with 91,071 ballots to her 90,490 votes. Elections Calgary said the returning officer found the difference between the two candidates’ votes fell within the correct range for a recount. The margin between Farkas and Sharp was only 581 votes, or about 0.2 per cent of the total votes cast in the race. The recount will be conducted of all the ballots cast at all voting stations across the city, a rule that came about because of a policy change by the Alberta government. “Previously, the returning officer communicated that a recount on request was limited to a recount of valid ballots at a voting station,” officials said. “Recently, the Government of Alberta communicated that the threshold to request a recount under section 98.1 of the (Local Authorities Election Act) is to apply to the total number of valid ballots cast for candidates in an election, rather than results at individual voting stations.” Sharp said that no matter the result, she hopes the recount will lead to “meaningful updates.” “Elections across Alberta should be administered with consistent standards, clear procedures, and greater transparency that supports public confidence,” she said. “This isn’t just about one election, it’s about protecting the integrity of every election to come. Calgarians deserve a process they can trust, and I’m committed to making sure that trust is earned and upheld.” The recount will be conducted at the Big Four Roadhouse, 1801 Big Four Tr. S.E., starting at 9:30 a.m. Following the count, the mayor’s total will be corrected if needed. RELATED STORIES:
