When the Canal Flats mayoral race resulted in a tie, the decision was left to chance, culminating in a win for Mark Doherty.
The election was an even split between Doherty and his opponent and former village council member Doug McCutcheon, with each candidate earning 158 votes.
Election officials said the result was the same, even after the ballots were double-checked, so the matter went to a judicial recount.
Both McCutcheon and Doherty were in attendance at the recount on Monday at the Provincial Courthouse in Invermere.
All parties agreed that the numbers did not need to be checked again after the results came up the same once again.
“The Provincial Court Judge pulled the name from the box and declared Mark Doherty as the Mayor-elect,” said Canal Flats election officials.
Doherty will be joined on village council by Justin Stanbury, Anora Kobza, Jennifer Noble, and Patricia Reed, all newcomers to chambers.