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Mayor's name drawn from a hat

Tied mayoral race resolved

Darrell Greer
Northern News Services

Repulse Bay (Jan 08/01) - There can't be a closer race between two old political rivals than last month's municipal election in Repulse Bay.

Incumbent mayor Donat Milortok and candidate Steve Mapsalak finished with 74 votes each, the first tie either can remember in Repulse.

The winner was decided by drawing a name out of a hat.

In this case, the returning officer marked the candidates' names on individual ballots, put them into a hat and pulled out the winner's name.

The tie-breaking formula is outlined in Section 75 of the Local Authorities Elections Act which the Nunavut Government adopted from the GNWT during division.

The stipulation will remain in effect until such time it is revisited by the NG, which may or may not affect changes.

Milortok expected the mayoral race to be a close encounter.

He and Mapsalak have faced each other a number of times in the past. Both have served as Repulse mayor.

"I was not worried about whose name was pulled," said Milortok. "I knew whether it was Steve (Mapsalak) or I, Repulse was going to have an experienced mayor who could do the job and that was the most important thing."

Milortok, who was also re-elected as Kivalliq Inuit Association vice-president in the election, said neither he nor Mapsalak had to campaign much during the election.

"We've both been mayor in the past and everyone in the community knows us and what we're capable of, so we really didn't have to speak that much."

Mapsalak said he had no problem with the way a tie is decided, as long as it's OK with the voters.

"I felt much the way Donat did in that no matter whose name was pulled, Repulse was going to have a strong mayor," said Mapsalak.

"I was hoping my name would be pulled, but I think anybody in that situation would. The fact we tied shows we are both pretty well regarded in the community."