Tied election decided by names in hat

WINTON, Australia, March 27 (UPI) -- A tied mayoral election in Winton, Australia, has been decided by unusual means -- picking a name out of a hat.

Ed Warren, who has served as acting mayor of the Queensland shire since the retirement of former Mayor Bruce Collins eight months ago, was declared the winner after his name was pulled from the hat, The Courier-Mail reported Thursday.

Warren and rival Graham "Butch" Lenton each received 423 votes. Local election law states that a tied mayoral election must be decided by drawing names out of a hat, or flipping a coin.

"It is a disappointing way to lose the mayoralty," said Lenton. "What gets me is that the election is run fair and square according to the rules and then you get knocked off by lady luck."

State opposition leaders have called for an end to the name-drawing practice to decide the outcome of tied elections, suggesting the outcome should be decided by incoming councilors.

"The incoming councilors have also just faced election and the people have given them their confidence to make informed decisions," opposition spokesman Howard Hobbs said.