Judge Rules Ward 9 Elections Valid, No By-Election for Maria Augimeri

Councillor successfully appeals decision that would have sent voters back to the polls.

By Hamutal Dotan

Councillor Maria Augimeri speaking at an event last spring. Photo courtesy of Augimeri's {a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/councilloraugimeri/5707141804/in/photostream"}Flickr stream{/a}.

In a decision issued today, the Superior Court of Ontario has ruled that the Ward 9 results from the October 25, 2010 election are valid—which means that residents of Ward 9 will not be going to the polls in a by-election after all. The results of the race for councillor in York Centre were challenged by the second place candidate, Gus Cusimano, who lost to the incumbent Maria Augimeri by just 89 votes [PDF].

In a successful appeal of the results this spring, Cusimano alleged that there were irregularities in the voters list, which invalidated the results from last year’s municipal election. Augimeri in turn appealed that ruling, which led to today’s decision. The three-judge panel was unanimous in its decision.

The full text of the ruling…

Augimeri Appeal