Virginia: A Winner....Maybe

The majority in the Virginia House of Delegates has come down to one single district that ended in a tied vote.  Therefore, literally one vote statewide is determining which party will control the chamber in the next legislative session.
 
After the state three-judge panel ruled that a particular contested ballot must be counted for Republican Delegate David Yancey (R-Newport News), the 94th District House of Delegates electoral outcome officially became a tie.  Democratic candidate Shelly Simonds asked for reconsideration, but the court again ruled the vote must be counted.  This led to the drawing of lots to determine who would officially win the election. 
 
Late this week, the process was completed and Delegate Yancey won the draw.  Ms. Simonds apparently has the right to ask for yet another recount, and she indicated that she will take such a course of action.  So, this saga will apparently continue for some time, but for now the official ruling indicates that Mr. Yancey has been declared the winner.
 
--Jim Ellis