Electronic tabulators were utilized for the first time in a recent Yellowknife municipal election, resulting in swift announcement of preliminary results right after polls closed, catching one candidate’s watch party off guard. These machines tallied the votes for each candidate after voters deposited their completed ballots. The election, which took place on Monday, saw Melissa Syer elected as the new mayor, along with eight councillors. This election was conducted in collaboration with Elections N.W.T.
Elections N.W.T. leveraged its extensive voting list from territorial elections to support various administrative tasks during the election process. City manager Stephen Van Dine expressed satisfaction with the election’s overall smooth operation but highlighted the need for a comprehensive evaluation of the process. The decision to continue partnering with Elections N.W.T. for future elections will rest with the new mayor and council.
The introduction of tabulators was not solely due to Elections N.W.T.’s involvement but rather stemmed from a legislative change in the territory a few years ago permitting their use in elections. The city opted to use tabulators for this election after deciding in August, with Van Dine acknowledging Elections N.W.T.’s role in ensuring their proper functioning.
Van Dine praised the technology, citing its efficiency in delivering faster results than previous elections, enabling an earlier transition period. Feedback from voters outside the polling station indicated a positive experience with the voting process, with some mentioning it was the quickest they had ever voted.
The tabulators processed results so swiftly that numbers were released before incumbent council candidate Rob Warburton’s watch party had even begun. However, some observers criticized the city’s election website for being challenging to follow as the results came in. Results were segmented by voting station and did not display the cumulative votes per candidate, requiring individuals to calculate the totals themselves initially.
Van Dine acknowledged the website’s shortcomings and expressed empathy towards the public’s desire for a more user-friendly experience. Attempts to reach Elections N.W.T. for comment on future collaborations with the city in upcoming elections were unsuccessful by the deadline.
