King of spades is deciding vote in Ne election

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.omaha.com/article/20101111/NEWS01/711119816/0#king-of-spades-is-deciding-vote

Published Thursday November 11, 2010

MITCHELL, Neb. — A king of spades was the deciding vote for Konni Lebruska-Einfalt to take a seat on the Mitchell school board.

Lebruska-Einfalt and Patti Grentz each finished the election with 459 votes. The result was the same after a recount.

Scotts Bluff County elections commissioner Vera Dulaney said the candidates had the option of breaking the tie by drawing names from a hat, flipping a coin or drawing cards. They chose cards.

“Two decks of cards were used,” Dulaney said. “Each candidate had to pick a card from a deck and the high card won.”

Lebruska-Einfalt drew the king of spades; Grentz got the six of clubs.

“It isn't too often that this kind of thing happens,” Dulaney said.

In May, Milo Cardenas needed a nine of hearts to win the Republican nomination for sheriff in nearby Morrill County. His opponent in the primary, Travis Petersen, drew only a six of spades.