Coin Flip Decides Kentucky Election Tie

2 min read

In a rare and historic twist, a coin flip decided the outcome of a tightly contested election in Robertson County, Kentucky. When Republican Benny Ray Renner and Democrat Kristen Gifford Fryman tied with 91 votes each in the race for magistrate in the 2nd Magisterial District, officials turned to an ancient method to break the deadlock.

Officials Recommend Coin Flip

The Kentucky State Board of Elections recommended a coin flip to determine the winner, a method that has roots in history. The county clerk flipped a quarter that the sheriff had in his pocket, and the result was decided by the call of the candidate listed first on the ballot.

Fryman, who won the toss, said she was surprised by the tie. “When it was tied, I was like, ‘Wow.’ I was kind of shocked cause that’s just something I don’t think that… I was told that’s never happened in our county before,” she said.

Historical Context of Coin Flips

The use of coin flips to settle disputes or make decisions dates back to ancient Rome, where the practice was known as ‘heads or ships.’ In Roman times, the ‘heads’ side of the coin was associated with the emperor, and the ‘ship’ side always lost. Later in medieval Britain, the game was known as ‘Cross or Pile,’ with the ‘heads’ side featuring a cross and the ‘tails’ side referred to as ‘pile’ due to its indentations.

Despite the different names and contexts, the practice of using a coin flip has remained consistent throughout history: to resolve disputes, make decisions, or end rivalries.

Robertson County: The Smallest in Kentucky

Robertson County, which is the smallest in population in the state, saw its first use of a coin flip in an election. The outcome of the race for magistrate in the 2nd Magisterial District was decided by a simple toss, highlighting the unique and sometimes unconventional methods used in local elections.

Source: Breitbart

Written by

Connor Davis