Toowoomba Regional Council - Schneider fails in recount attempt ...

... left to contemplate life outside Council.

Excerpt from the Chronicle:

Ruby counted out of council

27 March 2008

Failed Toowoomba Regional Council candidate Michelle (Ruby) Schneider yesterday requested, but was subsequently denied, a recount after falling 624 votes short of filling a place on the new council.

Mrs Schneider, who was a councillor on Toowoomba City Council, finished in 11th position behind Peter Marks in the poll.

She submitted her letter of request to returning officer Robyn Lowien at 2.30pm yesterday, but was denied the recount by the Electoral Commission late yesterday.

Mrs Schneider said her reasons for a recount included the size of the overall vote (797,950) and the closeness of the candidates in eighth, ninth, 10th and 11th positions.

She also claimed the commission changed its method of counting the votes from a manual system to an electronic system during the count.

The reason her request was rejected, she said, was that the Electoral Commission thought the margin she lost by was too big.

"They think the margin's too big and as far as informal votes go the percentage was very low," Mrs Schneider said.

"I'm happy to accept that, but sometimes you just have to request and have a go at these things otherwise you go through life wondering."

Earlier in the day, Mrs Schneider said the result was too close for comfort.

"This is about the process. It's not about sour grapes.

"I believe a recount will put minds at rest and then allow the new regional council to get on with the job for which they have been elected."

Mrs Schneider said she would also then be able to move on and into the next phase of her life with her family and career.

"It is very important for people to understand this is about process," she said.

"The time it has taken to get to this point is absolutely appalling and that feeling has been echoed by many candidates.

"I have fielded so many phone calls, emails and messages of support from the community who believe this has been unacceptable."

Returning officer Robyn Lowien said the count was finalised at 12.35pm, postal votes being the only ballot papers counted yesterday.

"There are 10 candidates in the position and it is my intention to have the candidates in my office and declare the poll at 10am on Friday," she said.

Ms Lowien said a candidate could not simply request a recount.

"They must have reasons as to why they think an error occurred and where they think some of the votes may have been omitted," she said.

See - Schneider fails in recount attempt.