Race for East Deer commissioner is a tie — for now

The race for the Second Ward East Deer commissioner is a tie, so far.

According to unofficial results from the Allegheny County Office of Elections, incumbent Democrat Ed Kissel and newcomer Republican Alexander Gigler, each got 131 (49.8%) votes.

The two candidates had similar reactions of frustration to the uncommon outcome.

“I worked hard for 20 years and thought I did well, but I found out a lot of people felt differently,” Kissel said

Kissel said he plans to remain in the race until a winner is determined.

“I’d like to thank everyone that voted for me,” Kissel said. “I just hope for the best from here.”

He said if he wins, he’ll continue to do the work he’s completed while on the board thus far.

Kissel, 75, was born in East Deer and has served on the council for the past 20 years.

He previously told TribLive the board has brought in over $3.5 million in grants over the last 10 years, lowered garbage rates to the lowest in the Alle-Kiski Valley and lowered taxes three times in the last 10 years.

“Seeing the results end in a tie is obviously frustrating,” Gigler said in an email. “I had strong in-person support, and the atmosphere at the polls reflected that. The gap in the in-person results was significant and meaningful — residents clearly want change.”

Gigler, 34, has lived in the community for 31 years. He thanked his supporters and, like Kissel, plans to stay in the race until a winner is decided.

“Regardless of the outcome, I will continue to do everything in my power to support the residents of East Deer. Whether you voted for me or not, you are still part of my community, and I’ll do my best by all of us,” Gigler said.

A Deer Lakes teacher, this would be Gigler’s first time serving on the board.

Determining a winner

According to the Allegheny County spokesperson Abigail Gardner, there are a few steps before the race will be declared an official tie.

“Just because it’s tied now, does not mean it stays tied,” she said.

It’s possible there will be provisionals (ballots) and military and overseas ballots that could make the difference in the race, Gardner said. David Voye, the county’s Elections Division Manager, said military and overseas ballots have a later deadline.

According to the Pennsylvania Department of State, both candidates are able to file a petition with the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas and plead their case for a recount.

“There’s no such thing as an automatic recount for races at this level,” Gardner said.

If the race still ends in a tie after official results have been determined, then the candidates will “draw lots” to determine the winner.

“I’ve done my research into how ties are handled at the local level and, honestly, the idea that a race this important could be decided by drawing straws or another game of chance feels wrong to me,” Gigler said. “Voters deserve certainty and fairness, not chance.”

Allegheny County uses a leather shaker bottle with wooden pellets numbered 1 through 51, Voye said. The candidate who picks the highest number wins the seat.

“We’re still several steps away (from drawing lots),” Gardner said.