By Keith Gushard

Meadville Tribune

An unofficial “record” has emerged from the final ballot counts for the Nov. 3 general election: 15 Crawford County races have ended in a tie. Now the county’s board of elections must decide how to choose the winners.

While there were no surprises from previous “unofficial” election results reported earlier this month, the high number of ties is believed to be a record, according to Jack Preston, chairman of the Crawford County Board of Elections. The ties all came from write-in votes.

The results were certified Thursday and will now be on public display for the next five business days at the county commissioners’ office at the Crawford County Courthouse, 903 Diamond Park, Meadville, during normal business hours, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The 15 ties are due to no one being on the ballot for the office in question. Some of the ties had write-ins for more than two people.

Letters will be sent to those tied to find out if they want to be considered for the office, said Charlene Vlasnik, the county’s chief clerk.

Once those persons have responded, if there still are ties for the office there will have to be a tie-breaker for each one.

The county traditionally has used a coin flip to break a tie in a race. However, if there are more than two candidates in a race, the county will have to cast lots for the position, said Jack Preston, election board chairman.

“That’s to be determined,” Preston said when asked what procedure may be used. “We’ll have to come up with a system.” The method to be used may have candidates draw ping-pong balls, or some other tie-breaking system, he said.

The election board is expected to meet in early December, if necessary, to break any ties.

The precincts with write-in ties are:

Athens Township — Constable

East Mead Township — Inspector of elections

Meadville 1-2 — Inspector of elections