If you live in District 3, now is the time to make sure you’re on the electors list for the upcoming by-election. 

You can find out if you are on the list of electors by contacting the Returning Officer, Steff MacLeod between the hours of 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. before May 15, 2026.  

Telephone: 902-295-3659 Fax: 902-295-3331 E-mail: steff.macleod@victoriacounty.ca 

You will be asked for your name, your address and your date of birth. 

If you’re unsure about your eligibility, take the time now to confirm. Participating in the election is an important way to have your say in your community. 

Voting Eligibility  

To vote in the District 3 by-election, you must: 

• Be 18 years of age or older and a Canadian citizen on the first day of advance polling  
• Have been an ordinarily resident of Nova Scotia for at least six months before the first advance polling day  
• Be an ordinarily resident of District 3 immediately before the first advance poll  

Being an “ordinarily resident” in a Nova Scotia municipality means it is the place where you usually live, sleep and intend to return to when away, regardless of where you take meals or are employed. 

Who Can’t Vote? 

You are not eligible to vote if you are: 

• The Returning Officer  
• An inmate in a correctional or reform facility  
• A person convicted of bribery under the Municipal Elections Act within the past six years  

NOTE: Nova Scotia does not allow non-resident voting in municipal elections meaning you must live in the municipality to vote there. For example, if you live in Sydney but own a cottage in Ingonish, you are not eligible to vote in Victoria County, you must vote where you ordinarily reside. 

Voting Dates 

• May 21, 2026 – First Advance Poll  
• May 26, 2026 – Second Advance Poll  
• May 30, 2026 – By-Election Day  

 Related Links

• Nomination and Electors List Notice 
• District 3 
• Municipal Elections  
• District 3 By-Election Set for May 30 

Update From the Returning Officer:

The recount process will be on Friday, November 22 at 9:30am. This will take place at the Sydney Courthouse at 136 Charlotte St, Sydney, in courtroom # 2 on the second floor. to attend, you will have to enter the building off of Charlotte St and go through security. It is my intention that upon the completion of the recount and should a tie be found, the draw from the box will be completed at that time, so that we have an answer on who will represent District 8.

Blair Gallop

Returning Officer, Victoria County

elections@victoriacounty.ca

(902) 295-2117

Order – Judicial Recount

An update from the Returning Officer:

As folks know from my last update, I was required to file for a recount with the NS Provincial court. These documents have all been prepared and sent to the court. These documents must also be given to the candidates personally. This means actual papers handed to the candidates. Emails are not permitted.

We are now awaiting scheduling to find out when we will be in court in Sydney. Matters such as this are normally dealt with on Mondays. We are hopeful that we get a date of November 12th. This is a hope and is far from guaranteed. Otherwise, we would likely be looking at a court date of November 18th. After the hearing, the judge will schedule a time for the recount. Once this happens and should he /she find that there remains a tie, then I will schedule the draw by lot, following this order. 

Once there is a scheduled court date, I will provide another update. 

Sincerely, 

Blair Gallop

Returning Officer, Victoria County

Official Election Results for Victoria County:

Race: Councillor District 1

CANDIDATE – TOTAL VOTES

Mary Louise BERNARD – 56
Cory P. MACLEAN – 117
Donna MATHESON-LEFORT – 215
Vera PIERRO – 43

Race: Councillor District 2

CANDIDATE -TOTAL VOTES

Sandy HUDSON – 159
Perla M. MACLEOD – 274
Norman MATHESON – 35

Spoiled – 1
Declined – 2

Race: Councillor District 3

CANDIDATE – TOTAL VOTES

Gary CROWDER – 197
Donald GREEN – 38
Jesse KERR – 286

Declined – 2

Race: Councillor District 4

CANDIDATE – TOTAL VOTES

Rosella BORN – 231
Steff MACLEOD – 177

Race: Councillor District 5

CANDIDATE – TOTAL VOTES

Mike MACDONALD – 275
Fraser PATTERSON – 301

Spoiled – 1

Councillor District 6

Tim Donovan – ACCLAIMED

Race: Councillor District 7

CANDIDATE – TOTAL VOTES

Johnny BUCHANAN – 171
Jackie ORGAN – 271

Spoiled – 3
Declined – 1

Race: Councillor District 8

CANDIDATE – TOTAL VOTES

Ricky BUCHANAN – 36
Patterson GRAY-ROCHON – 85
Wanda HENNICK – 145
Amy MACKINNON – 145

Spoiled – 3

As two candidates have received an equal number of votes, legislation states that I must make an application for a Recount to the Nova Scotia provincial court. This application will take place after the results are made official on Tuesday Oct 22, 2024. Notice will be given to the candidates.

The judge will either go through the particulars of the recount process or dismiss the case on the basis that either “the application is frivolous or vexatious” or “it would not be in the interest of justice to conduct the recount”.

If the judge finds that there remains a tie after the recount procedure, or if the case is dismissed, the selection of the winner is made by picking a name from a hat.

For those who are interested the Municipal Elections Act is at Municipal Elections Act (nslegislature.ca). Sections 130 to 138 detail the recount process.

If this was to happen in a Nova Scotia Provincial election, the process would be the exact same.

Blair Gallop

Returning Officer

The polls have closed for the 2024 Municipal Election. The unofficial results are available on the Elections Results webpage:

Summary

Councillor – Elect

District 1: Donna MATHESON-LEFORT 
District 2: Perla M. MACLEOD
District 3: Jesse KERR 
District 4: Rosella BORN
District 5: Fraser PATTERSON
District 6: Tim Donovan – ACCLAIMED
District 7: Jackie ORGAN 

PENDING

District 8: Wanda HENNICK – Amy MACKINNON – TIED pending Recount.