Conservative Kathy Borrelli narrowly upholds win in federal Windsor-area riding recount
A ballot recount in Windsor—Tecumseh—Lakeshore has confirmed a Conservative win in the border city riding, solidifying the party’s blue wave in Canada’s most southern tip. The recount, which took place in a Tecumseh strip mall, lasted three days and ultimately resulted in Conservative candidate Kathy Borrelli’s victory over Liberal incumbent Irek Kusmierczyk by a mere four votes, according to Elections Canada.
Borrelli secured 32,090 votes, representing 45.8% of the total votes, while Kusmierczyk garnered 32,086 votes, or 45.7%. Additionally, there were 458 rejected ballots listed in the final count. The initial unofficial results showed Borrelli winning by 233 votes, but the validated results reduced her lead to 77, coming within seven votes of triggering an automatic recount based on the total votes cast in the riding.
Alicia Higgison, the vice-president of the Windsor—Tecumseh—Lakeshore Liberal Riding Association, volunteered to observe the recount process and commended it as a testament to Canada’s democracy. She noted that the collaboration between Liberal and Conservative volunteers during the recount demonstrated a commitment to ensuring the accuracy and fairness of the election results.
Jordan Katz, representing the local Conservative riding association, expressed his support for Canada’s election process, emphasizing the transparency and integrity of the paper ballot system. He stated that the majority of the ballots counted were flawless, with only a few irregularities due to voters not following marking instructions.
Following the recount, Kusmierczyk requested a judicial recount, which was approved by a judge on May 9. The decision was based on evidence showing potential irregularities in the rejection of valid ballots supporting Kusmierczyk. The judicial recount aims to provide clarity and confidence in the election results for the community.
Both candidates, Borrelli and Kusmierczyk, pledged to cooperate fully with the recount process, with Borrelli assuring the community of her team’s dedication to ensuring a fair count of every ballot. The recount in Windsor—Tecumseh—Lakeshore was part of several close races across the country, underscoring the importance of accurately determining the will of the voters.
The official results of the riding were finalized just days before the House’s return on May 26, coinciding with a throne speech by King Charles III. The outcome of the recount in Windsor—Tecumseh—Lakeshore reflects the meticulous attention to detail and commitment to upholding democratic principles in Canada’s electoral process.
