Evans wins coin toss in race for fiscal officer WATCH THE VIDEO
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By
Brandy Chandler-brandychandler@gmail.com
With the toss of a coin, the Highland County Board of Elections broke a tie in the race for Fairfield Township Fiscal Officer. However, the board will not officially determine if there is a tie in the race until the official re-count on Monday.
The official count of the Nov. 8 general election resulted in a 468-468 tie between incumbent Patrick Hagen and challenger Tracy Evans.
On Wednesday, the Highland County Board of Elections met in a special session for the official coin toss. The candidates' names were put into a hat to determine who would call the toss. A name was drawn out by an impartial person not affiliated with the board or the candidates.
Evans' name was drawn out of the hat, and she elected to call the toss, saying, "That way I'll have no one to blame but myself."
Chairperson of the Highland County Board of Elections Andy West tossed the coin. Evans called heads, and won the toss.
Debbie Craycraft, Director of the Highland County Board of Elections said that in previous years when there has been a tie, the board conducted the coin toss after the official re-count. However, when they contacted the Ohio Secretary of State's Office this week to find out the official procedures, they were instructed to do the coin toss before the count.
The last time the board had a tie in an election was four years agin in the race for Madison Township Fiscal Officer, and before that, a tie occurred in a Clay Township race approximately in 2003, according to the board.
The board will do the official re-count Monday morning at 8 a.m. If that results in a tie, Evans will be the winner of the race.
Following the coin toss, Evans said that it has been a nerve-wracking process.
"It has been very nerve-wracking," Evans said. "I was glad to get this over with. I'd like to thank Pat for running a good, clean race. I'd like to thank everyone for voting for me. I thin both of us did very well."
Hagen congratulated Evans following the coin toss, and they shook hands.
With the toss of a coin, the Highland County Board of Elections broke a tie in the race for Fairfield Township Fiscal Officer. However, the board will not officially determine if there is a tie in the race until the official re-count on Monday.
The official count of the Nov. 8 general election resulted in a 468-468 tie between incumbent Patrick Hagen and challenger Tracy Evans.
On Wednesday, the Highland County Board of Elections met in a special session for the official coin toss. The candidates' names were put into a hat to determine who would call the toss. A name was drawn out by an impartial person not affiliated with the board or the candidates.
Evans' name was drawn out of the hat, and she elected to call the toss, saying, "That way I'll have no one to blame but myself."
Chairperson of the Highland County Board of Elections Andy West tossed the coin. Evans called heads, and won the toss.
Debbie Craycraft, Director of the Highland County Board of Elections said that in previous years when there has been a tie, the board conducted the coin toss after the official re-count. However, when they contacted the Ohio Secretary of State's Office this week to find out the official procedures, they were instructed to do the coin toss before the count.
The last time the board had a tie in an election was four years ago in the race for Madison Township Fiscal Officer, and before that, a tie occurred in a Clay Township race approximately in 2003, according to the board.
The board will do the official re-count Monday morning at 8 a.m. If that results in a tie, Evans will be the winner of the race.
Following the coin toss, Evans said that it has been a nerve-wracking process.
"It has been very nerve-wracking," Evans said. "I was glad to get this over with. I'd like to thank Pat for running a good, clean race. I'd like to thank everyone for voting for me. I think both of us did very well."
Hagen congratulated Evans following the coin toss, and they shook hands.