In his "Week in Review," Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose noted that a few races were a photo finish after the fall election...one locally.
(Columbus) -- Upon the completion of the official canvassing of election results across Ohio from the November 8th General Election, eight races resulted in either a tie or were decided by two votes or fewer, proving once again that every vote matters.
Each election, several elections result in ties or very close results. In fact, in the 2021 November election, 18 races resulted in a tie.
It is not cliché to say that every vote is critically important. The close votes that happened across the state were local issues that impact their communities’ day to day lives, and one or two additional voters would have made a difference.
In Adams County, Peebles Sunday Sales at the One Stop was down to 250 "yes" and 248 "no" votes
Under Ohio law, the tie is broken by the board of elections to determine the winner, either by flipping a coin or by other methods, such as drawing straws, picking a name written on paper out of a hat, or cutting cards.
While winners have been declared in these races, because they were so close, a recount was performed.
Under Ohio law, a board of elections must order the automatic recount for any county, municipal, township, school district race, local question, or issue election wholly contained within the county when the difference between votes cast for a declared winner and the defeated nominee or issue is equal to or less than one-half of one percent (0.5%) of the total votes cast. The Secretary of State will then order an automatic recount in any multi-county district elections.
The Secretary also orders the automatic recount of any statewide election when the difference between votes cast for the declared winner and the defeated nominee or issue is equal to or less than one-fourth of one percent (0.25%) of the total votes cast in the race or issue.