In a remarkable conclusion to the mayoral election in Spring Lake Park, a suburb of Minneapolis, the city council was forced to resort to an unusual method to determine the winner of a tie. After both incumbent mayor Robert Nelson and challenger Halyn Roth garnered 1,201 votes each during the election held on November 3, 2023, the resolution laid in a rather old-fashioned approach: drawing lots.
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The pivotal moment unfolded at a special city council meeting on November 9, where Barbara Goodboe-Bisschoff, a council member, was entrusted with the rather peculiar task of selecting a winner. As both candidates looked on, she pulled out a film canister from a bag, which contained Robert Nelson’s name, thereby confirming his victory.
In the days following the election, emotions were mixed. Roth took to Instagram to express his surprise at the tie, humouring his followers with the message: “We’ve got a tie, folks. I’m not sure what the next steps are exactly, but stay tuned!” Following the drawing, Roth indicated he would request a recount of the ballots cast, while the recount is scheduled to take place on November 17.
Minnesota law requires that a tied election be resolved through a draw, a procedure that left some feeling uneasy. Roth acknowledged this in an interview, describing the process as “not the way I would have preferred to have done it” and termed it “really weird.” She expressed her desire for change in this context, urging citizens to advocate to their state legislators for a revision of the electoral process.
On the other hand, Nelson appeared to view the situation more light-heartedly. “It seems like it’s something from the 1800s,” he remarked, expressing a desire for improvements while unsure how to achieve them. The incumbent mayor, who has served in various capacities since 2006 and was re-elected in 2019, remained upbeat during the draw.
Prior to the selection, city administrator Daniel Buchholtz explained the measures taken to ensure fairness in the process. He folded pieces of paper containing each candidate’s name in the same manner and placed them into identical canisters, which were then placed inside a blue fabric grocery bag. Nelson couldn’t resist injecting humour into the situation, asking Buchholtz if there was “a rabbit in there.” The city administrator wittily responded, “I’m a city administrator, not a magician.”
The act of pulling a name from a bag, while somewhat antiquated, adhered to the legislative framework governing municipal elections in Minnesota. Buchholtz emphasised the practicality of the chosen method: “I know some people would rather have us do a revote, but doing a revote is really expensive,” he noted, indicating that the cost of a new election could be approximately £30,000.
Interestingly, Goodboe-Bisschoff revealed that she had not anticipated her role in the drawing until she arrived at the council meeting, as Nelson had chosen not to inform her ahead of time. “I didn’t tell her because I was worried she might get nervous and not show up,” he explained.
As the city navigates the aftermath of this unique electoral event, both candidates have displayed sportsmanship, shaking hands and exchanging good wishes prior to the drawing. The drama around the tie has sparked conversations among the constituents of Spring Lake Park, prompting them to reflect on the electoral process and discuss potential reforms.
As Winter approaches and the community awaits the recount, the residents of Spring Lake Park continue to engage in spirited discussions about their leadership and the methodologies employed in their local elections. The unfolding events offer a rare glimpse into the quirks of democratic processes at the municipal level, demonstrating that even in the 21st century, some traditions persist, albeit in unexpected forms.
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