Official results from the School District 72 trustee election are expected before 4 p.m. on Wednesday, October 21, after election officials determined that incorrect ballot instructions did not materially affect the outcome.

The finding follows confirmation that 140 City of Campbell River ballots were rejected for the trustee election because more than the permitted number of candidates had been selected. Officials reviewed the rejected-ballot total alongside preliminary results, including the vote difference between the fifth- and sixth-place candidates.

The problem involved printed instructions that incorrectly told voters they could select up to seven school trustee candidates. Voters were permitted to choose no more than five.

The error affected ballots used during the City’s October 7 advance-voting opportunity and some mail ballots. Once it was discovered, election workers began verbally advising voters of the correct limit.

Ballots marked for five or fewer trustee candidates remained valid and were included in the count. Where more than five candidates were selected, the votes in the school trustee portion were not counted.

Of the 140 rejected ballots, 121 were cast during advance voting on October 7. That included 109 submitted before the incorrect instructions were addressed and 12 cast after corrected verbal instructions were being provided.

The remaining 19 were mail ballots: 15 received before updated instructions were provided and four received afterward.

Printed instructions were corrected for advance voting on October 14 and general voting day on October 17. Updated ballots were also included, when available, in mail-ballot packages that had not yet been picked up.

The error did not affect voting for Campbell River mayor and council, the Strathcona Regional District assent-voting question, or trustee advance voting conducted at other locations.

“Election officials recognize that voters expect a fair, accurate, and transparent election process,” the October 20 statement says.

Officials will review the circumstances surrounding the mistake and the corrective measures taken, with the aim of strengthening election procedures and reducing the risk of similar errors in future elections.