Mayoral Race Could Be Decided by Which Name Is Drawn From Bag

Newsweek · Tom Sanders · 2026-11-06 15:17 UTC

The next mayor of Spring Lake Park could be picked from a bag after both candidates received an identical number of votes.

The mayoral race in Minnesota’s Spring Lake Park may be decided by a “game of chance” after both candidates received the exact same number of votes.

Both incumbent mayor Robert Nelson and challenger Hayln Roth tied in the race with 1,401 votes apiece, while write-in candidates received 13 votes, denying either man a victory.

Under Minnesota law, in the event of a tie, the impasse will be broken by drawing lots, which means the next mayor will be decided by chance at the next city council meeting, due to be held at 5:30 p.m. on Monday.

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