It’s not the most conventional way to win a race, but it sure has been exciting.
David Yancey, a Republican incumbent, defeated Democrat Shelly Simonds, in a pivotal Virginia House race, when his name was drawn out of a bowl.
Literally. We’re not making that up.
It was a critical election that helped determine which party had control of the House of Delegates in Virginia.
BREAKING: Republican wins tied Virginia legislative race after candidate’s name is drawn out of a bowl.
— The Associated Press (@AP) January 4, 2018
The selection marks the most recent – but not last – phase in a tumultuous election.
Yancey was determined the winner on Election Day by 10 votes, but a recount led to Simonds being called the winner by a single vote. Democrats were giddy …
This week, @shelly_simonds won her VA Delegate race by one vote. Republican bullshit cannot take that away from her. I drove 7.5 hours to canvass for her race with @Sister_District. I talked with over 100 households. Maybe I swung the race? How cool is that?
— Cleo’s Hat (@CleopatrasHat) December 22, 2017
A court, however, decided one ballot in particular should be awarded to Yancey. The voter filled in spots for both candidates but drew a line across Simonds name, a clear indication they had made a mistake and corrected it. The voter had gone straight Republican in every other election on the ballot. The last-second change in consideration for his ballot led to a tie, and thus the need for a lottery drawing.
BREAKING: Republican David Yancey’s name was drawn from the bowl in the Virginia House race… the same way people would pick keys at swingers parties… pic.twitter.com/lqOvbrv7PE
— Tim Young (@TimRunsHisMouth) January 4, 2018
Despite some efforts to paint the method of ending a tie through a name drawing as absurd, it isn’t uncommon for states to develop last resort methods in the event a winner cannot be determined.
Various other states have drawn cards, straws, or flipped a coin. One election for a small city in Florida in 2014 used name-drawing, a coin toss, and a ping pong ball to break a tie.
Just in: Republican incumbent David Yancey’s name drawn to settle tie vote. He’s been declared the winner of a seat in Virginia’s House of Delegates. https://t.co/MbZ9gzRfvp pic.twitter.com/xpfAgwCQ4I
— CNN (@CNN) January 4, 2018
The Virginia legislative race isn’t finished after Yancey’s name draw. Simonds, as the loser, can request a second recount.
What do you make of this method of choosing an election winner? Share your thoughts below!
