Judge orders Ward 9 York Centre by-election
Posted April 21, 2011 7:58 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Voter list irregularities, largely in the form of absent electoral officials’ signatures, prompted an Ontario Superior Court Justice Thursday to order a by-election in Ward 9 York Centre.
Toronto councillor Maria Augimeri won Ward 9 by just 89 votes in the Oct. 25 municipal election.
The runner-up in that race, Gus Cusimano, launched the civil lawsuit against the city. On his website, Cusimano says he moved forward with the legal action after, “many concerns and reports surfaced about serious irregularities and inconsistent voting procedures.”
“At least 455 people voted who may not have been legally able to, making them ineligible to vote,” his site further reads.
Cusimano was understandably pleased with the ruling, confirming that he will run again. “This is a great day for democracy,” he told the Globe and Mail.
A by-election has also been ordered for Toronto District School Board Ward 4, where Mike Sullivan lost to incumbent Stephanie Payne by 56 votes.
Dates for the by-elections will be scheduled in the next 60 days.
The city can appeal the decision.
