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Tie broken

Democrat wins seat after drawing ‘elected’ from hat

Courtesy Photo Rich Nash, shown here on Wednesday, became the Allis Township supervisor on Wednesday after breaking an election tie with Bob Anderson by drawing a slip of paper from a hat.

ROGERS CITY — A drawing was held on Wednesday at the Presque Isle County Clerk’s Office to break a tie between the two candidates for the Allis Township supervisor position, with Democrat Rich Nash winning the draw.

Nash and Republican Bob Anderson both earned 157 votes in the Nov. 6 election. State law dictates that ties be broken by drawing lots or similar methods, which is the same protocol in 27 other states.

While not many candidates often come to a tie, it happened at least once before in Presque Isle County, during the 2016 contest for Posen Township trustee between Darrin Darga and Kathleen Kieliszewski. Darga won that draw.

After the county Board of Canvassers certified the election results and the tie remained, County Clerk Ann Marie Main scheduled the tie-breaker for noon on Wednesday.

Two slips were placed into a hat — one reading “elected,” and the other “not elected”.

As the county clerk held the hat, Nash pulled the “elected” slip to win the seat.

Nash told the Alpena News last week that he was surprised there was a tie, considering that the campaign had started in June.

He said Wednesday he was a little surprised when he pulled out the “elected” slip, but he felt it went well, overall, and he was relieved it had finally come to a conclusion.

In his role as supervisor, Nash said he felt it was time for a change and he would like to step up to meet the needs of the township.

“I plan to get more people involved and hear what the people want and need,” Nash said. “I want to make it a better township.”

Nash will serve a four-year term ending in 2022.

Kaitlin Ryan can be reached at kryan@thealpenanews.com or by phone at 989-358-5693.

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