Coin tosses are often used as a simple way to break ties. But does leaving something up to chance really satisfy both parties? A coin flip decided who would become mayor of a North Carolina city that saw two candidates remain tried after all the ballots were tallied.
Robert Burns and Bob Yanacsek were tied with 970 votes each in the race to become mayor of Monroe, North Carolina. Both Yanacsek and Burns waived their right to seek a recount, which according to state law says the outcomes of tied races are determined by lot.
To break the tie, a coin toss was held. Yanacsek called out for heads but the coin flipped by an election official came up tails, which determined Burns as the winner. The two men shook hands and hugged briefly before the board voted to declare Burns the new mayor.
Although Yanacsek was cordial on the matter, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officer posted online saying that his supporters should not be discouraged by the outcome. “We didn’t lose the election. We lost a coin toss,” Yanacsek said.
Burns will succeed Marion Holloway, who did not seek reelection in Monroe. “It’s been an awesome run so far, and now it’s all in God’s hands,” Burns said in a social media video shortly before the coin toss.
Source: https://www.foxnews.com/politics/north-carolina-mayoral-race-decided-coin-toss