WYOMING, Mich. – There is an unofficial tie between two candidates vying for the third open seat on the Godfrey-Lee School Board.
Candidate Josephine Coleman and incumbent Robert Baker each took 296 votes. However, Wednesday morning Coleman called Baker wishing to concede; that is, until she learned state law does not allow it.
“You’ve run for election, you have been voted in, or selected through the election process, then you just don’t quit,” said Mary Hollinrake, Kent County Clerk.
Wednesday morning when Coleman said she called Baker wishing to concede, Baker told FOX 17 that he was “flabbergasted.” Baker said he just served his first term on the Godfrey-Lee School Board and thanked Coleman.
“Although some people think that political events such as this are popularity contest, for me it’s about the kids in the district, it’s about making good decisions for them, and I know that (Baker) feels the same way,” said Coleman.
Coleman said she wanted to avoid a drawn out process and believes Baker is doing good work. But Michigan election law does not allow anyone voted in to simply concede. In about two weeks, when the Board of Canvassers certifies the election, if votes are still tied, then Coleman and Baker will essentially draw straws.
“I know this sounds very archaic: we put two pieces of paper in a box, one says ‘elected,’ one piece of paper says, ‘not elected,’” said Hollinrake. “Each candidate, who is tied at 296 votes at this moment, will draw a slip of paper.”
This Michigan election law determining tie votes has been in effect since 1968. It is part of the full election process that Hollinrake said protects voters.
“We can`t have the public losing faith in those who are running elections,” said Hollinrake. “So a very, at times, intricate process is put in place to make sure no fraud can occur, to make sure everyone who wants to vote does vote.”
At this point, Coleman told FOX 17 she is not rethinking having run for the School Board. And now if formally elected, Coleman said she would accept the position.
“If we go through this process and I am elected, then I am ready to act on that as well,” said Coleman. “I would go ahead and accept it.”
In the past 14 years, Hollinrake said she has witnessed only a handful of tied votes settled by drawing slips of paper.
