This Quebec mayor was elected by the luck of the draw — literally

It was through the luck of the draw — literally — that Jean Lapointe was declared mayor of Saint-Jean-de-l'Île-d'Orléans, Que., on Tuesday.

The town of about 1,200 people is located on Île d'Orléans, an island in the St. Lawrence that is known for its farming, strawberries and panoramic views of Quebec City.

Lapointe's name was picked out of a judge's hat after he and his only opponent, outgoing mayor Jean-Claude Pouliot, each got 327 votes during the 2021 municipal election.

Under Quebec law, when there is a tie for first place between two candidates, the winner is determined by a draw. 

If that happens, each candidate must be notified in advance and the draw must be done in their presence at a time and place they agree on, said Elections Quebec spokesperson Julie St-Arnaud Drolet.

"I never thought I'd be elected as mayor through a draw," said Lapointe, adding it felt a bit like a game of Russian roulette.

The new mayor said he was nonetheless thrilled by the result. He first expressed his interest in the position in June, when he was still working as a city councillor, he said.

Pouliot, who had served as mayor of the rural village for 24 years, said he found the situation very peculiar. 

"Personally I would've preferred to do another election and that we start over, that we start a new campaign," he said. To him, it doesn't feel like there is a clear mandate from the population if someone wins by a draw, he said.

Even if it wasn't what he hoped for, Pouliot said he accepted the result.

"The law tells us it must be by a draw," he said. "We must live with it."

Lapointe was first declared winner on the night of the Nov. 7 election, but only by one vote.

Pouliot asked for a recount after learning that a couple of ballots in his favour had been rejected for not being marked properly.

A judicial recount was approved by a Court of Quebec judge on Nov. 16, and took place on Tuesday at the courthouse in Quebec City.