How does a judicial recount work?
A judicial recount is held when two candidates in a federal riding are tied or almost tied for first place after the votes are counted on election night. If the two top vote totals are very close to each other, with the difference being less than one-1,000th (or 0.1 per cent) of the total number of votes cast in that riding, a recount is automatic. The riding’s returning officer must fill out the paperwork within four days of the results being validated. A judge who normally presides in a court within the riding then sets a date within the next four days on which the judicial recount will begin. If the difference is more but still fairly close, either one of the candidates or a person acting on their behalf can request a recount. Of course, the candidate with the lower total is much more likely to do so, given that the stakes are so high. The Canada Elections Act leaves the door open wider, saying any voter can request a recount, as long as he or she can provide an affidavit from a cre
