By KATHRYN FRASER

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

A shortage of ballots may have built anticipation on election night, Monday, October 26, but Caledon learned its new mayor would be Christina Early before midnight, with the incumbent Councillor earning 12,650 votes from residents. 

Due to the ballot shortage, the closure of polls was pushed two hours to 10 p.m. in order to obtain more ballots for those looking to vote. 

Prior to election day, the Town of Caledon announced the early voting turnout, with a total of 11.3 per cent of Caledon voting prior to October 26. 

Advance Polling Breakdown for each Ward was as followed: 

Ward 1 - 11.5% 

Ward 2 - 13.6% 

Ward 3 - 13.0% 

Ward 4 - 11.8% 

Ward 5 - 7.6% 

Ward 6 - 10.6%

Once 10 p.m. passed, the Town of Caledon began displaying the unofficial results on its website, keeping residents updated on the results for Mayor, Council, Regional Council and School Board trustees.

The results were clear around 11.30 p.m., when Christina Early was declared Caledon's new Mayor-elect. 

Early celebrated her win over Mario Russo at St. James Anglican Church with family, friends and other members of the community. 

“Monday night was certainly exciting and eventful!” said Mayor-elect Early. “I felt very confident going into the election. My team and I had spent months knocking on doors and speaking with residents across Caledon.

“As election day approached, it became increasingly clear that we had strong support throughout the community. Our final weekend canvassing in Bolton reinforced that confidence. And I'm a numbers person. I had done my homework, ran the numbers, and felt good about where we stood.

“Election night did have a few unexpected twists. The Clerk made the unusual decision to extend voting until 10 p.m., and CP24 prematurely reported that my opponent had won, based on the advance poll results. Fortunately, my team was carefully tracking the results as they came in, and we knew we had mathematically secured the win well before the official announcement.

“Being surrounded by my family, friends, volunteers and so many wonderful community supporters made the evening incredibly special. It was a night I won't soon forget.”

In addition to residents, many of Caledon's newly elected Council members were also in attendance including Ward 1 Councillor-elect Keri Parfitt, Ward 3 Councillor-elect Stan Cameron, Ward 4 Councillor-elect Heather French, and Regional Councillor-elect of Wards 1,2 and 3 Dave Sheen. 

Sheen won his position with 7,037 votes. 

“This is the craziest job interview you could ever imagine. Talking to so many people in Wards 1,2 and 3 hearing how they care about their community and want to make it better I'm humbled,” said Sheen. “I'm humbled that residents would vote for me and trust me to do the best I can on their behalf and in both Town Council and now with the Region.”

Parfitt received 1,499 votes. 

“It feels great to be elected to represent Ward 1,” she said. “There was a lot of work and effort that went into this from so many people and so many volunteers and we all had so much help and it feels wonderful to be at the end of it.”

Cameron received 1,814 votes. 

“I'm so excited. I'm not sure that I can describe the joy that I feel, and it's not just joy for me but joy for the team that I'm joining,” said Cameron. “I really believe that we are a team that will be able to bring respect back to Town Hall, where people will feel safe, where people will feel comfortable, where people will want to come to work in Caledon.” 

French received 1,566 votes. 

“I'm super excited that the people put their trust in me and I'm excited to get started and get to work representing the people of Ward 4,” she said.

Wards 2 and 5 also celebrated its new Councillors with Jagraj Sekhon securing the role of 

Ward 2 Councillor and Diana Mollicone becoming Ward 5 Councillor. 

“Thank you to every voter, volunteer and supporter who made this possible. I look forward to serving our community at Council and finishing what we started together,” said Sekhon. 

Added Mollicone: “It was honestly surreal to find out I was elected. I just kept refreshing the live tally and the messages were rolling in. I'm looking forward to getting back to everyone on their issues from my notes I took at the door.”

Ward 6 re-elected incumbent Councillor Cosimo Napoli for another term with 1,647 votes.

“Thank you, Ward 6! I am truly honoured and grateful to have been re-elected as your Area Councillor,” said Napoli. “Thank you to everyone who placed their trust in me, supported my campaign and took the time to vote.”

More information about the election results can be found on https://www.caledon.ca/en/government/election-landing-page.aspx 

Caledon's new Mayor-elect, and newly elected and returning Council members will step into their roles on November 15.