Some mayoral races in B.C. were decided by just a vote or 2

UPDATE Oct. 23, 2018: After a verification process, the race for mayor of Peachland has ended in a tie. A judicial recount has been ordered.

It was a close race for mayor's seats across B.C. on Saturday. Really close.

Yes, Vancouver had a tight race that wasn't decided until well past midnight but candidates in small towns across the province were also left on the edge of their seats longer than they thought they'd be.

"It really was a bit of a roller coaster," said Melanie Mason, who lost the race on Bowen Island by just two votes.

"It was really, really close."

2 candidates split by2 ballots

Gary Ander edgedout Mason 896 to 894. The candidates, both councillors, were shocked.

"I expected it to be close ... Obviously, I didn't think it was going to bethatclose," Andersaid in a phone interview the morning after the election.

Mason has already requested a recount, but doesn't think results will change.

"I guess I wish I had canvassed just one more ferry lineup, but it is what it is," said Mason, who watched the results at home with her family.

Single-vote races

In Peachland, incumbentCindy Fortin lost her re-election campaign against former councillor Harry Goughby just one vote.

Clinton was also decided by a singlevote, with Coun. Susan Swan edging Roland Stanke. Incumbent Jim Rivett did not run for re-election.

In B.C., judicial recounts aren't automatic unless there's a tie.

Candidates or electoral officers can apply for a recount under several circumstances, including if the votes were not correctly accepted, ballots were not correctly rejected and if the ballot account did not accurately record the number of votes cast.

Other mayoral races decided by less than 1% of the vote:

North Cowichan 10-vote difference

• Al Siebring(3,017)
• Jon Lefebure(3,001)

Vancouver 984-vote difference

• Kennedy Stewart (49,812)
• Ken Sim (48,828)

West Vancouver 21-vote difference

• Mary-Ann Booth (4,394)
• Mark Sager (4,373)

Mayoral races decided by less than5%of the vote:

Cache Creek 26-vote difference (5%)

• Santo Talarico(230)
• John Ranta(204)

Chase 11-vote difference (1%)

• Rod Crow (256)
• David Lepsoe(245)

Chetwynd 24-vote difference (5%)

• Allen Courtoreille(255)
• Alec Brownlee (231)

Duncan 26-vote difference (1%)

• Michelle Staples (494)
• Martin Barker (468)

Kaslo 13-vote difference (2%)

• Suzan Hewat (260)
• Andrew Shadrack (247)

Keremeos 15-vote difference (2%)

• Manfred Bauer (299)
• Arlene Arlow (284)

Port Edward 10-vote difference (4%)

• Knut Bjorndal (113)
• Dave MacDonald (103)

Salmo 25-vote difference (5%)

• Diana Lockwood (270)
• Stephen White (245)

Tumbler Ridge 13-vote difference (2%)

• Keith Bertrand (251)
• Don McPherson (238)

With files from Brady Strachan and Bridgette Watson

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