Council race decided by name pull

Cesar Zepeda has won Richmond's District 2 council race after his name was pulled from a bag.

Zepeda was selected by City Clerk Pamela Christian, who placed both candidates' names in sealed envelopes and drew one of them this morning in the city council chambers with both candidates and selected others present.

Prior to the name draw, Christian read the resolution, which was adopted by a unanimous vote, and explained the rules before the drawing commenced.
Contra Costa County certified the election. According to Assistant Registrar Hellen Nolan, "the county certified the Richmond District 2 results as a tie," and selected the winner

The name pull came days after Contra Costa County certified the election. According to Assistant Registrar Hellen Nolan.

"The county certified the Richmond District 2 results as a tie," and selecting the winner was then "up to the city of Richmond, per resolution 7922, which was adopted earlier this year," Nolan said.

The means by which this race was decided created more than a little controversy.

On social media, voters grappled with the idea of choosing a city council member by a game of chance — something many felt was anything but democratic.

An online debate between County Supervisor John Gioia and community members in a local Facebook forum became heated after Gioia quoted from the resolution, adopted unanimously by the city council in June. Resolution 7922 states, "a race resulting in a tie will be broken by a lot." Many posters argued about a lack of fairness, while others insisted Gioia's information was incorrect. Some felt the responsibility was at the county level, making it their job to settle the tie and declare a winner.

Others found humor in the situation and offered creative suggestions for breaking the tie. "How about mud wrestling?" said Laurel Bellon. Other suggested tiebreakers were "rock, paper, scissors," and a dance-off.

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