Copyright Live 5 News WCSC
RENO, Nev. (KOLO/Gray News) - An elected official in Nevada was determined by a card draw. Carl Copek and Seth Schrenzel participated in a tiebreaker at the Washoe County Commissioners chambers on Wednesday to determine who will serve a four-year term on the Gerlach General Improvement District. It’s the smallest community in Washoe County. “Carl has been in town for 25 years,” Schrenzel said. “I’ve been in town on and off for 23 years.” In the recent election, Copek and Schrenzel each received 67 votes. In Nevada, it’s up to the county clerk or the registrar of voters to break a tie with what’s called a “by lot,” meaning by random chance. Traditionally, prior tiebreakers have been determined with a deck of cards. “Shuffling them and having the highest card wins,” says Andrew McDonald, with the Washoe County Registrar of Voters. A coin toss determined Schrenzel would select a card first, then Copek. Schrenzel drew the higher card and will officially serve four years on the Gerlach GID. Copek will fill out the remaining term on the board, which expires a year from now. He also announced a bid for reelection after the card draw. The two will travel back to Gerlach, about two hours north of Reno, to take on problems together, like water issues and a call for a better staffed fire department. The two probably shared smiles on their faces after both experiencing a little Nevada history. “I wouldn’t say there is anything more Nevada than drawing cards to determine an official election,” says Schrenzel. Both say the cards will be put on display at the office of the Gerlach General Improvement District.
