Victor election tie broken by 'a few letters'

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Story Published: Nov 19, 2009 at 5:38 PM MST

Story Updated: Nov 19, 2009 at 6:20 PM MST

By Steven Pope

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VICTOR - The race came down to a single ballot.

And it took a deputy from the attorney general's office from boise to settle it.

Suspense filled the room while the votes were read aloud.

"I haven't heard (my name called) so many times since I was in the 8th grade and the teacher was talking to me," said Grant Thompson.

"This election was nearly decided by a coin toss. But because of one disputed ballot, a winner has been declared by a single vote."

"I just felt like this would have been a better way of coming to a resolution for who to be Councilman versus a coin flip," said Matt Eagans.

"I feel like a coin toss may just have been fair on the disputed ballot but I guess we go by the law and we have the state officials here to conduct it," said Thompson.

The voter who filled in this ballot didn't write out Matt's last name Eagans, and instead just wrote an E. According to state law, this vote doesn't count. Giving Grant Thompson the win.

"Yeah next time I'll definitely make it a point to be on the ballot versus a write-in," said Eagans.

There was also low voter turnout.

"We had over 800 registered voters, we only had 260-70 show up to vote which isn't a very good representation," said Thompson.

But as this election goes, every vote counts.

It's crazy to think that it could have ended in a coin toss.

But City Hall was ready with their Idaho State Quarter just in case.

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