Spring Lake Park Mayor’s Race Ends in a Tie
Spring Lake Park’s mayoral contest ended with incumbent Robert Nelson and challenger Roth each receiving 1,401 votes, or 49.77 percent. Write-in candidates received 13 votes, and all three precincts had reported their results by November 6, according to unofficial tallies published by the Minnesota Secretary of State’s office.
City officials are scheduled to review the results at a public meeting on November 9 at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall. If the official canvass confirms the tie, Minnesota law directs the canvassing board to settle it by lot. City Administrator Daniel Buchholtz said the candidates’ names would be drawn from a bag, and described the procedure as fair.
Roth said they disliked the idea and would prefer a revote or another option. Roth also said that if they lose, they intend to request a recount, arguing that residents deserve confidence that every vote was counted accurately. Roth said the tie could prompt lawmakers to reconsider the state rule.
Eligible candidates have until 5 p.m. on November 16 to request a recount. If one is held, it is scheduled for November 17 at the Anoka County Courthouse.
A Random Draw Could Decide Spring Lake Park’s Mayoral Race
Spring Lake Park voters have left their mayoral race deadlocked, with incumbent Robert Nelson and challenger Roth each receiving 1,401 votes. If the canvass confirms the tie, the winner will be selected by chance under Minnesota law—not by voters in a revote.
Officials plan to review the results at a public meeting on November 9 at 5:30 p.m. City Administrator Daniel Buchholtz said the candidates’ names would be drawn from a bag and called the longstanding process fair. Roth, however, said they dislike the rule and would rather see a revote or another way to resolve the contest.
Roth said they intend to seek a recount if they lose, to ensure every vote was counted accurately, and suggested the tie could spur lawmakers to revisit the statute. That option at least offers a check on the tally, but it does not change the central problem: a state rule can hand the office to a name pulled at random rather than settle the outcome through voters’ choices.
Candidates who qualify have until 5 p.m. on November 16 to request a recount. If one proceeds, it is scheduled for November 17 at the Anoka County Courthouse.
Minnesota’s Tie-Breaking Rule Sets a Clear Path for the Race
Spring Lake Park’s mayoral contest is tied, but Minnesota law already provides a procedure for resolving it. Incumbent Robert Nelson and challenger Roth each received 1,401 votes, while write-ins received 13. Officials will canvass the results at a public meeting on November 9 at 5:30 p.m.
If the tie remains after that review, the winner will be chosen by lot, with the candidates’ names drawn from a bag. City Administrator Daniel Buchholtz said the longstanding process is fair. The rule gives officials a defined way to conclude a tied election rather than leaving the result unsettled.
Roth said they dislike selecting a mayor by chance, favor a revote or another option, and intend to request a recount if they lose. Their concerns are clear, but replacing the established procedure is a question for lawmakers, not a reason to disregard the rule in this race. Roth said the tie could prompt lawmakers to review the statute.
Eligible candidates may request a recount by 5 p.m. on November 16. If one is held, it is scheduled for November 17 at the Anoka County Courthouse, providing a further opportunity to check the count.
Reported by Daily Mail US, Newsweek.
