The runners-up in two of Windsor's tightest races for city council say they're not considering a recount of Monday's election results.
Brian Yeomans lost to Renaldo Agostino in Ward 3 by just 75 votes. The result was even closer in Ward 4. Mark McKenzie beat Jake Rondot by only 28 votes.
However, Rondot told WindsorNewsToday.ca that the thought hadn't crossed his mind.
Jake Rondot on June 14, 2022 (Photo by Adelle Loiselle)
"Those auto-scan machines are pretty accurate, and it would be quite a lengthy process," he said. "I wish Mark the very best in representing Ward 4."
Likewise, Yeomans is satisfied the results were accurate.
"Renaldo and I, all the candidates, ran a pretty good race," said Yeomans. "The voters spoke."
According to City Clerk Steve Vlachodimos, candidates who contest the result of an election have 30 days to make a request for a recount. City Council would have to consider the request and it would have to be carried out within 15 days of its decision.
Both candidates said the bigger disappointment was the low voter turnout. Only 31 per cent of eligible voters in the city cast a ballot on Monday, and across Ontario, the turnout was a mere 29 per cent.
"There's been plenty of talk about online voting. I think the drive-thru voting helped. We saw advance voting up," explained Rondot. "Maybe we need to continue to look at creative options."
Yeomans wondered if voters aren't just fatigued, considering this week's election was the third in the past year.
However, the results haven't discouraged Yeomans. He said he'll run again in 2026.
