Official recounts are underway in close ridings. Here’s how they work

A single vote turned out to be the decisive factor in the Montreal-area riding of Terrebonne, where the seat flipped back and forth between the Liberals and Bloc Québécois before the official recount results were announced over the weekend. The initial unofficial results on election night showed that Liberal Tatiana Auguste had defeated Bloc incumbent Nathalie Sinclair-Desgagné. However, the riding was later declared for Sinclair-Desgagné, only for an official recount before a judge to reveal that Auguste had actually won by a mere one vote.

This back-and-forth process may seem confusing, but Laura Stephenson, chair of the political science department at Western University, emphasized that it demonstrates a deliberate and meticulous accountability process at work. “It’s detailed, it’s rigorous, it’s careful. All of those things should tell you how seriously our rules and Elections Canada are taking the outcome of our elections,” she said.

In addition to the recount in Terrebonne, three other recounts are currently taking place. A recount in Terra Nova-The Peninsulas in Newfoundland and Labrador began on Monday, with another in Ontario’s Milton East-Halton Hills South scheduled to start on Tuesday. The recount for Windsor-Tecumseh-Lakeshore will commence on May 20.

The recount process is overseen by a judge, with specific representatives allowed to participate in the proceedings. The recount teams review each ballot meticulously, ensuring that the tally matches the results from election night. They also have the authority to reconsider rejected ballots and decide whether they should be counted. If there is a dispute among the recount team on a particular ballot, the judge will make the final decision.

While recounts may be time-consuming, Stephenson highlighted their importance in ensuring that the will of voters is accurately reflected in the election results. “We’re following [the] process and process is slow and deliberate and careful. And so I have a lot more faith in the electoral process because of that,” she said.

Recounts are not uncommon during elections, with judicial recounts happening almost every election cycle. In 2021, two recounts were conducted, with others requested by candidates and later withdrawn. The meticulous nature of the recount process ensures that the electoral outcomes are accurate and reflect the voters’ intentions.

The attention given to the recent close ridings, such as Terrebonne, is heightened by the fact that the Liberals are now just two seats away from a majority government. Even if the Liberals secure victory in the remaining three recounts, they would still fall short of a majority. This close margin underscores the significance of each vote and emphasizes the importance of the recount process in maintaining the integrity of the electoral system.