Mississippi election decided by drawing straws

David Glenn Bolin drew the long straw Thursday night and will become Poplarville's newest alderman after a runoff election earlier this week ended in a tie.

WLOX-TV reports Bolin faced Stephanie Bounds in the runoff, but the two candidates tied with 177 votes each.

According to Mississippi law, the winner would be determined by drawing of a lot.

The straw-draw took place Thursday night at City Hall, with the longer straw determining the winner.

Bolin fills a seat vacated by Randy Brown who resigned after the state auditor determined Brown's job with the Biloxi Police Department created a conflict of interest in his membership on the Board of Aldermen.