The official results of the 2020 municipal election were released showing 3,035 out of 20,000 eligible voters filled out their ballots on November 9.
According to the results, voter turnout was estimated at 15 per cent of voters, which is about half of the count in 2016 and five per cent more than in 2012. A total of 22,572 votes were cast for city council and LPSD board trustees candidates.
“Obviously, we would like to see a higher voter turnout, but we’ll take what we get,” Returning Officer Doug Rodwell says. “We encourage everybody to exercise their right and privilege to vote and it’s their right and privilege not to as well.”
Rodwell adds there were no issues when it came to election day and says voters were pleased with the low waiting times. The drive-thru polling stations we’re cancelled due to weather conditions, but Rodwell says it is an option they will look at again in the next election.
Other changes made this election were the increased amounts of advance polling options.
“When we set our advance polls we did more advance polls than we would have normally done. We did that in response to COVID and give people the opportunity for voters to attend in a less crowded environment and spread out the voting opportunities for individuals to cast their ballots.”
All councillors who ran for re-election were able to retain their seat and are joined by former councillor Jason Whiting and newcomer Lorelee Marin. Councillors will be sworn in during a private ceremony on November 16 and will have their first meeting on November 23.
Melanie Mutter, Georgina Veltikold and Viren Tailor were elected for their first term as the LPSD Board Trustees and will the four incumbents will also be returning to the board.
Breakdown of votes at each polling station
Advance polls – 1,439 votes
Mail-in ballots – 20 votes
Servus Sports Centre Mike’s Oilfield Fieldhouse – 516 votes
Servus Sports Centre Remax Fieldhouse – 345 votes
Wild Rose Pavilion – 218 votes
City Hall – 497 votes
Official city council results
Jonathan Torresan – 1,804 votes, 11.5 per cent, Elected
Aaron Buckingham – 1,755 votes, 11.2 per cent, Elected
Michael Diachuk – 1,594 votes, 10.2 per cent, Elected
Glenn Fagnan – 1,556 votes, 9.9 per cent, Elected
Lorelee Marin – 1,443 votes, 9.2 per cent, Elected
Jason Whiting – 1,395 votes, 8.9 per cent, Elected
Sheldon Weinrauch – 1,041 votes, 6.6 per cent
Dean Segberg – 748 votes, 4.8 per cent
Chris Carnell – 590 votes, 3.8 per cent
Darrell Dunn – 567 votes, 3.6 per cent
Bill King – 562 votes, 3.6 per cent
Rhiannon Greening – 528 votes, 3.4 per cent
Shawn Davidson – 511 votes, 3.3 per cent
Cheryl Ross – 438 votes, 2.8 per cent
Charles Balenga – 335 votes, 2.1 per cent
Sandy Barrett – 305 votes, 1.9 per cent
Aftab Arif – 268 votes, 1.7 per cent
Satish Patel – 239 votes, 1.5 per cent
Official LPSD Board Trustee results
Melanie Mutter – 1,114 votes, 16.2 per cent, Elected
Karoline Kennedy – 1,028 votes, 14.9 per cent, Elected
David Thompson – 942 votes, 13.7 per cent, Elected
Cathy Cornet – 905 votes, 13.1 per cent, Elected
Georgina Veltikold – 838 votes, 12.2 per cent, Elected
Viren Tailor – 770 votes, 11.2 per cent, Elected
Chrissy Gee – 693 votes, 10.1 per cent, Elected
Asad Gavahi Kashani – 603 votes, 8.7 per cent