The flip of a coin or drawing of straws could determine who steps into a Whakatāne District Council spot after two candidates gained an equal number of votes.
Galatea-Murupara ward candidates Alison Silcock and Hinerangi Goodman both received 262 votes in the recent elections. A third candidate running, Jackie Te Amo, received 164 votes.
![Candidate Hinerangi Goodman. Photo / File](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/G6XBBK5ZVRMUBSCH6VTTTCRV44.jpg?auth=ec388b9360222cdfb68fd48f03238adc727d9594ff11ec64f43ee0df3bc2e68f&width=16&height=11&quality=70&smart=true)
According to the Local Electoral Amendment Regulations 2003, if two candidates reached a tie "... the electoral officer must determine by lot which candidate is to be declared elected."
Candidate Alison Silcock was philosophical about the tie.