Local Mississippi Election Could Literally Be Decided By Coin Toss

Hand flipping coin
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After an election in Mississippi ended in a tie, the winner could be picked by a coin toss or drawing straws Thursday night.

That’s according to the mayor’s office in Poplarville, Mississippi concerning the race for an alderman’s seat, Reuters reported. The race, between David “Glenn” Bolin and Stephanie Bounds ended in a tie of 177-177 on Tuesday. The vote could also be decided if one voter who showed up without a photo ID (which is a requirement to vote under Mississippi law) brings in a valid ID to vote, according to The Clarion-Ledger of Mississippi.

“Drawing of the lot may include drawing of straws, use of pebbles, or tossing coins, which is undetermined at this time,” Mayor Brad Necaise said according to Mississippi’s WLOX, the local ABC and CBS affiliate. “Drawing of the lot is contingent upon securing electors of the municipality chosen by the election commission. Once electors are secured, drawing of the lot will take place in a public forum.”

The two candidates will be made aware of the drawing of the lot before it happens on Thursday night.

Bolin said he was more disappointed by low turnout in the race.

“We have 1,600 registered voters in the city of Poplarville,” he said. “Only 354 felt the need to get out and vote.”

Shutterstock / Pepgooner

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  1. Bolin said he was more disappointed by low turnout in the race.

    Sounds to me like very few actually gave a shit.

  2. Most of the voters probably spend as much time as possible out of town and missed the election. It is Poplarville after all.

  3. Can’t be all THAT poplar.

  4. Do the good Christianists at Poplarville’s First Shiite Baptist Church of the Republican Jeebus know that the election will be decided by gambling?

  5. Sounds like a typical local election anywhere. Except for the photo ID part. That’s new. And dumb.

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