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- calendar_today October 19, 2026
Preliminary Results Show Tie in Lytton Mayoral Election
Residents of Lytton, B.C., are awaiting the outcome of their mayoral race after preliminary results revealed a rare tie between incumbent Mayor Denise O'Connor and challenger Jennifer Thoss. Both candidates received 45 votes each in the Lytton mayoral election, according to initial results released by the Village of Lytton.
Tied Candidates: Denise O'Connor and Jennifer Thoss
Denise O'Connor, the current mayor, faced off against former city councillor Jennifer Thoss. The tie was detailed in preliminary ballot accounts, which still need final confirmation by village officials. Speaking about the close contest, Thoss remarked, "I knew it would be close, but I didn't think it would be this close." Both candidates decided to run in the wake of the 2021 wildfire that devastated the community and displaced most of the pre-fire population of approximately 210 residents.
Next Steps: Awaiting Official Results
According to Lytton's chief election officer, Shannon Story, the official declaration of results is scheduled for Monday at 11 a.m. Pacific time. If the results remain tied, the next phase outlined by the Local Government Act of British Columbia will be triggered—a judicial recount. This recount involves a judge reviewing and recounting some or all of the votes to ensure accuracy.
Recount and Tie-Breaking Procedures
If the judicial recount still results in a tie vote, Lytton's election procedures bylaw requires the outcome to be determined by drawing lots. This process is a legal mechanism for resolving deadlocked municipal elections and involves placing candidate names on separate, uniformly folded pieces of paper in a container. The Local Government Act stipulates that the papers must be placed into a container large enough to allow a random draw, and the container should be shaken thoroughly prior to the selection.
Precedents for Deciding Tie Votes in B.C. Elections
Determining municipal election winners by drawing lots is not unprecedented in British Columbia. In 2018, Peachland's mayoral seat was decided when a judge drew Cindy Fortin's name from a green box. Similarly, in 2022, Port Moody councillor Amy Lubik's victory was decided by a random draw from a container.
Lytton Council Election Results
The preliminary results for the council seats were also announced. Incumbent councillors Jessoa Lightfoot, Nonie McCann, and Melissa Michell retained their positions. Venkat Sajja won the seat previously held by mayoral challenger Jennifer Thoss.
Community and Recovery Context
The 2026 municipal election comes as Lytton continues its recovery from the 2021 wildfire. Both mayoral candidates have cited post-wildfire challenges and the ongoing need for strong leadership as their motivation for contesting the mayoral seat. The outcome of this election is expected to influence the direction of Lytton’s future recovery efforts.
What to Expect Next
The community will learn the official result on Monday. If a tie persists, judicial and possibly random draw procedures will follow as required by law. Residents and stakeholders are watching closely as the village of Lytton prepares for its next chapter under new or returning leadership.
Source: cbc.ca.
