It’s the metaphorical hat — thrown into the ring — that starts the office-seeking process. But for the second time in two years, a hat may be used to end an Iredell County municipal election.
In this case it’s the hat — or some other type of bowl-shaped container — from which the name of one of two candidates will be drawn to decide who will sit on the Troutman Board of Aldermen.
Paul Henkel and Jason Major each picked up 107 votes in tying for the third and final seat that was up for grabs in the election. And one of them will be sworn in to a unique two-year term.
Iredell County Board of Elections Director Becky Galliher said it was unlikely that any changes to Tuesday’s results would occur because there were no provisional ballots cast in the Troutman election and no challenges have been made against any voters.
If the vote count remains unchanged by next Tuesday’s canvassing day, in accordance with North Carolina General Statute 163-182.8(2), “the board of elections with jurisdiction to certify the election shall break the tie by a method of random selection to be determined by the State Board of Elections.”
Galliher said that “method of random selection” will most likely be a drawing, similar to the one that took place in the Harmony elections in 2009 when write-in candidate Eddie Gaither tied with incumbent Carolyn Moore. But it was Gaither’s name that was plucked from the container for the election victory. (In his reelection bid Tuesday, Gaither was by far the top vote-getter in the four-person race.)
Troutman’s name-drawing finale next week will include two men who are involved in the town’s politics.
Henkel serves on the Troutman Planning Board and previously served 24 years on the Board of Aldermen.
First taking office in 1977 — the same year as President Jimmy Carter – Henkel called it quits in 2001 as obligations on his day job became more time consuming. He retired two years ago and got the bug to get back on to the town’s governing board.
Major has been a regular fixture at Board of Aldermen meetings, where he often speaks during their public comments periods and addresses issues up from around the town.
The lot drawing will take place at the Board of Elections offices in Statesville sometime after the board convenes at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 15.
Regardless of which name is drawn, the final net result of Tuesday’s elections will be the loss of two current members and the addition of two new ones. It will also mean the board’s gender majority will switch from female to male. Alderwoman Jenny Blevins finished last in the election and lost her seat after one term. And Alderwoman Amanda Weiser opted not to run for another term.
That leaves Betty Jean Troutman as the board’s sole alderwoman. Troutman was the overall winner of Tuesday’s election, edging out political newcomer J.T. Jablonski. Both of these candidates won four-year terms.
But because Troutman decided to change the formula of its staggered elections, the third-place finisher in this election only will win only a two-year term.
A total of 206 people voted in the Troutman election, a turnout of about 13.5 percent.
Tonight’s regular Board of Aldermen meeting will be the last full one with the current board.
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