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A new deck of thoroughly shuffled playing cards settled a second-place tie in the Rock County Board District 3 election.
Three candidates had filed for election to that seat, including 32-year incumbent Ron Boyenga, rural Kanaranzi, and two challengers, Greg Burger and Darrel Van Aartsen, both of Luverne.
The Aug. 9 primary election should have narrowed a three-way contest for the County Board District 3 seat to two candidates.
When the polls closed that night, Burger emerged with the most votes, 108, (44 percent) but Van Aartsen and Boyenga tied for second with 67 votes each (27.69 percent each).
"This was truly a case where every vote counts," said Rock County Auditor-Treasurer Ashley Kurtz. "It took just one more vote."
The count prompted the Rock County Auditor Treasurer Ashley Kurtz to seek clarification from the Minnesota Secretary of State on how to proceed with a tie vote.
According to statute, in the case of a tie, lots are drawn to determine the second-place winner.
That happened Thursday afternoon, Aug. 11, during the county’s regular canvassing of ballots in the Rock County Courthouse commissioners’ room.
Kurtz said the statute is vague as to how to settle the tie, but the Secretary of State suggested a number of things such as drawing straws or cards or flipping a coin. Kurtz opted to purchase a new deck of playing cards and opened them at the meeting.
Commissioner Stan Williamson, a canvassing board member, shuffled the new deck several times and spread the cards out in a row on the table for the candidates to draw from.
Aces were declared to be low; kings were high.
Boyenga drew first — an ace, and Van Aartsen drew a queen, settling the tie.
Boyenga, now the official loser, could officially request, in writing, a recount at the county’s expense.
He made that request Monday, prompting a recount of 242 ballots that were cast for the District 3 County Commission race.
“I owe it to my voters,” Boyenga said.
The recount will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 17, in the courthouse. In the event that it produces the same results, the general election will proceed with Burger and Van Aartsen on the ballot.
Boyenga could launch a write-in campaign, but he hasn’t indicated whether that will happen.
The County Board’s third district encompasses all of Clinton and Kanaranzi townships in southern and southeastern Rock County, and a majority of Luverne Township west of Highway 75 and including a few northwestern neighborhoods of Luverne.
County District 1
Four candidates were seeking election to the open county commissioner seat in District 1 currently held by Ken Hoime, who opted not to seek re-election.
Candidates who filed are Don Bryan, Hardwick; Mike Davis, rural Luverne; Kyle Hemme, rural Hardwick; and Gary Overgaard, rural Magnolia.
Voters chose Overgaard with 105 votes (40.08 percent) and Davis with 86 votes (32.82 percent) to advance to the general election ballot.
Hemme garnered 36 votes (13.74 percent) and Bryan had 35 votes (13.36 percent) and will not advance to the General election.
Luverne City Council
The Aug. 9 primary also settled a three-way contest for the Luverne City Council Ward 1 seat currently held by Esther Frakes, who is not seeking re-election.
Seeking her seat on the council were Lennis “Red” Arndt, Larry Lanphere and Daniel Nath.
The two candidates to advance to the general election ballot are Nath with 110 votes (42.64 percent) and Lanphere with 90 votes (34.88 percent).
Arndt carried the remaining 58 votes (22.48 percent) and will not advance to the general election.
The general election is Nov. 8.
The Rock County Auditor’s Office can be reached at 507-283-5060.
Also election information is available on the Minnesota Secretary of State website, sos.state.mn.us.