Election outcome a matter of luck

Two will draw straws

POPLARVILLE, Miss. — A tied election in Poplarville will be decided by candidates drawing straws, unless one voter shows up before next Tuesday to show photo identification.

Glenn Bolin and Stephanie Bounds each received 177 votes in Tuesday’s special election runoff for alderman. One voter arrived at the polls without a government-issued photo ID, as now required by law in Mississippi, and voted affidavit. That voter has five business days to bring in a valid ID, and that could determine who wins the election.

Bolin and Bounds were among four candidates in a special election to fill a seat vacated by Randy Brown, who resigned after the state auditor determined he had a conflict of interest with his job with the Biloxi Police Department.

“It just proves to me that every vote counts,” Bounds told The ClarionLedger. “That’s what we’ve heard, we may be drawing straws. It’s strange, but I will support the outcome, whatever it is. I’m all for history being made. I will support Mr. Bolin if he’s

determined to be the winner.”

Bolin said officials won’t tell the candidates the name of the affidavit voter.

“My thinking is that person is not going to come in, because they don’t want all the attention of being the one vote,” Bolin said. “We were told last night that after five days, we’ll draw straws.”

Mississippi law, like most other states, says a runoff tie “shall be determined by lot.” The Secretary of State’s Office said the method of drawing of lots is determined by the local government or election boards.

Some past Mississippi elections have been determined by a coin toss, or by drawing straws.