Withdrawn council candidate could trigger recount if still elected
William Gordon withdrew from a council race after nominations closed. If elected anyway, he must resign. This triggers a recount.
Gordon got nominations for deputy mayor and councillor in the West Tamar Council election. Gordon withdrew after the nomination deadline.
Gordon's reason was time constraints with young children. Gordon also worried about putting his home address on campaign material.
He had seen social media comments directed at other candidates' families. This concerned him.
The Tasmanian Electoral Commission says Gordon is still technically a candidate. Withdrawal after the nomination deadline is not allowed.
If elected, he must resign. This triggers a preference distribution recount.
Ballot papers were already printed before his withdrawal.
- Monday September 21
- Nomination deadline
- Not yet two years old
- Gordon's youngest child age
- Deputy mayor and councillor
- Positions nominated for
- Resignation triggers preference recount
- Effect of his election
Why it mattersA candidate's forced resignation after election would reset vote counts. This happens under Tasmania's preferential voting system.
AustraliaWest Tamar residents may see their election partially rerun if Gordon receives enough votes to win despite withdrawing.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 3 h ago
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