A race where every vote truly counted

Jamie Davidson can’t help wondering what he could have done differently to win the municipal election for District 9 of the Municipality of Pictou County. Had things gone every so slightly differently, it could have changed everything.

The official results show that Davidson lost by just one vote to Peter Boyles. While he’s hoping a recount may provide a different outcome, he said it’s a bit hard to believe that he lost by one vote.

“You don’t expect someone to win by one vote,” he said.

He has made an application for a recount he said.

“With it being one vote. Maybe there was a mistake.”

Josephine MacDonald has been a returning officer for the Municipality of Pictou County for more than 30 years and in that time has seen some close races, but never quite like this.

“It is pretty bizarre,” she said. “The official count was spot on too.”

She said once Davidson’s application is received and processed they will apply for a court date. T

he ballots will then be recounted in front of a judge. The results of that count will be counted as the official. She said a court date will be set within 30 days of the application.

The winner Peter Boyles said it was a bit surreal on election night to hear that he had one by such a tight margin. He said it wasn’t until he heard his name declared on the radio and read about it in the newspaper that it began to sink in.

“It’s hard to believe it was that close.

“I give my hats off to Jamie and to Barbara, they put in a good campaign.”

Provided a judge does determine the count was accurate, Boyles said he will be happy to serve in the office.

“I have a lot of ideas that I would like to see done.”

During the campaign he said he ran into people who had problems he’d promise he’d work on if elected, pledging that their problems would become his problems to find a solution for.

In a race where every vote truly counted, he’s thankful for the support he received.