A candidate in the Rockyford municipal election is challenging the results in court after it appears an ineligible voter cast a ballot.
April Geeraert ran in the 2021 Municipal Election in the Village of Rockyford and was an incumbent. When the votes were tallied, she and fellow candidate Kathleen Morin were tied.
“It went down to the draw of the hat and the other lady won, and then I found out the next day there was an ineligible voter,” explains Geerhaert.
She said she learned a voter who resided in the county cast a ballot in the Wheatland election and then the Rockyford election.
“The problem is when it happened they just let him vote, but because ballots are anonymous they couldn’t just go back and figure which one was his,” said Geerhaert.
The allegations have not been proven in court.
She said when she learned about the incident, she went to the village and learned there was no apparent remedy.
“They called Municipal Affairs and he said there was nothing the Village itself could do anymore,” she said.
She also contacted Municipal Affairs herself and Elections Alberta and was told there was nothing they could do.
She has since retained a lawyer.
“Now I have to pay money out of my pocket to challenge an election that was not done right,” she said. “If you want to challenge an election, be prepared to spend all your money.”
She served the Village papers and has a court appearance this Thursday, December 9.
The remedy sought is an order a new election in the Village of Rockyford be held in compliance with the provision of the Local Authorities Election Act.
Mayor of Rockyford Darcy Burke is aware of the pending action and says because it is in front of the court and will be a hearing, he is not willing to comment.

The Palliser Intermunicipal Subdivision and Development Appeal board (ISDAB) has made a decision regarding the proposed Brooks Asphalt plant along Highway 10 (Rosedale Road) between Drumheller and Rosedale following a virtual hearing on Tuesday, November 9.
The board had a period of 15 days from the date of the hearing to make a decision, and a decision was made in writing on Monday, November 22 the development will not be permitted to proceed.
Five landowners who live in the area of the proposed development, including a local business owner, submitted appeals to ISDAB ahead of the hearing citing concerns over the dust, noise, and odour emissions which the plant would produce; increased traffic along the highway, which sees high levels of tourism traffic during the summer months, was also listed as a concern among the appellants.
Brooks Asphalt had previously operated a similar, temporary facility at the same location approximately 10 years ago. This facility also faced opposition from area landowners during its operation due to air quality issues, noise, and dust, as well as traffic concerns.
It was determined by the board the proposed development would “negatively and materially interfere” in the enjoyment and use of neighbouring properties.
As the facility would be classified as heavy industrial use, it also would conflict with the area structure plan; while the area structure plan does have a discretionary use for light industrial use, it does not have a provision to allow heavy industrial use. The area structure plan bylaw also states no industries which create “excessive noise, vibration, smoke, dust or odour” is permitted within the district.
ISDAB revoked the development authority’s decision to approve the development due to a failure to comply with mandatory notice requirements prior to approval, and further failure to comply with notice requirements of the decision.