That list of two dozen council candidates just got a bit shorter.

Leona Ham has just recently filed a form withdrawing from the councillor race.

Okotoks' returning officer Cathy Duplessis, who is also the legislative and policy services manager for the town, says Ham filled out the paperwork Monday morning.

"This form has been formally filed with myself as returning officer, which means that the candidate is asking that people do not vote for her at the advance votes and on election day because if she does get voted in, she will not accept the office of councillor."

Duplessis says the official window for withdrawing is only 24 hours after the closing of nominations, which would have been Sept. 21.

She can't recall a specific time where this has happened in Okotoks previously but says that it has happened in other municipalities, hence the reason for having a form for it.

Since the ballots are already printed, Ham's name will still be on the list.

"There will be a copy of that form on all the elector registration tables and also in all the privacy screens, so there will be two places where hopefully voters will see that and vote accordingly."

If for whatever reason Ham was to still be elected, Duplessis explains that they would have to hold a byelection to fill the vacant spot.

"I think that there is some belief that we can just take the next candidate in line. We cannot do that under the legislation."

A byelection would mean redoing the entire election process all over again.

As far as the reasoning behind Ham's decision, the latest on her Facebook page states that her reasons will be shared with those who are close to her.

She thanks everyone that supported her during her campaign and encourages others to share the word about her withdrawal from the race to ensure no votes get wasted.

 

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