ST. JOHN’S, N.L. — A judicial vote recount ending in an exact tie has squelched the hopes of a teenager who was briefly thought to be Canada’s youngest mayor ever — at least for now.
The result today in Paradise, N.L., was the same as the first local review: an exact tie of 1,821 votes for each man after the judge ruled to accept or reject a handful of disputed ballots.
Returning officer Joyce Moss says the tie means an earlier draw to decide the winner will stand and incumbent Ralph Wiseman will hang on to the mayor’s job over 19-year-old challenger Kurtis Coombs.
Coombs made national headlines when it first appeared he’d won the top political job in the town just outside St. John’s by just three votes on Sept. 29.
The initial recount also showed the two men were tied, which led to the draw for a winner from a recycling box.
Coombs and his lawyer interpret the law to indicate that, after today’s judicial review resulting in a tie, another draw should be held and they plan to take their case to Newfoundland’s Supreme Court if Wiseman is sworn in.
