Surprise Coin Toss Decides Fate of Local Election After Votes Were Stuck at a Tie as Winner Says ‘It’s Kind of Funny’

In an unusual turn of events, a coin toss determined the winner of a village trustee election in Hortonville, Wisconsin, after two candidates achieved an identical number of votes. Dalton Davis and Shauna Keel each garnered 356 votes for the final trustee position, prompting the Village Board of Canvassers to resort to a random method to resolve the tie, in line with state law.

According to local news source NBC 26, Wisconsin state statute mandates that tied elections must be settled through an unbiased process, referred to as selecting by “lot.” In this case, a simple flip of a coin was chosen as the method to declare the victor.

Dalton Davis, who ultimately emerged as the winner, revealed that he had actually voted for his opponent, Keel. “I voted for her, just cause I know she did good last term,” Davis explained after the coin landed on tails, thus securing his position on the village board. Despite the unexpected outcome, Davis expressed some disappointment over Keel’s loss: “It was a little disappointing to see that she didn’t get in, but it came to a coin toss so I don’t know what else to tell you.”

The coin toss was conducted by a member of the canvassing board, whereby Davis required the coin to land on tails for victory, whereas Keel needed heads. Reflecting on the peculiar nature of their deciding moment, Davis likened the experience to childhood games, saying, “It’s like what you did as a kid to decide something.”

Despite the competitive nature of the election, Davis emphasised that there were no lingering hard feelings towards Keel. He mentioned they have maintained communication, stating, “Me and her already reached out back and forth to each other.” This display of goodwill illustrates the camaraderie that can persist even amidst electoral rivalry.

The village election was not without its outcomes, as two other trustee positions were filled through a traditional voting process without ties. Julie Arendt Vanden Heuvel secured the first available position with 422 votes, closely followed by Therese Abit with 405 votes.

With the coin toss behind him, Davis is set to be sworn in at the next village board meeting. He expressed gratitude to those who supported him throughout the electoral process. “I received emails congratulating me from the administrator,” he noted. “Just an overall thank you to those who voted for me.”

Davis also commented on the unexpected resolution of the tie, saying, “I was kind of surprised it came down to a coin flip. I didn’t realise that was how you finish things, but it’s kind of funny.” The incident highlights the unique aspects of local governance and electoral processes in Wisconsin, where ties can end in such a lighthearted yet decisive manner.

Overall, the outcome has sparked conversations about electoral procedures and fairness in local elections, reminding voters and candidates alike of the unconventional methods that can determine the future of local governance. As Hortonville prepares for Davis’s tenure, the community also supports Keel, recognising her contributions during her previous term.