Coin Flip Decides Tie in Wisconsin Village Election

Dalton Davis wins village trustee seat after random draw breaks deadlock with opponent Shauna Keel.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 10:01pm

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A close-up view of an old, worn ballot box sitting on a wooden table in a shadowy room, with warm light streaming in from a nearby window, creating a sense of quiet contemplation around the electoral process.A coin toss may have decided the outcome, but the democratic process remains the foundation of local elections.Hortonville Today

A tie in the race for village trustee in Hortonville, Wisconsin was decided by a coin flip on Tuesday. Candidates Shauna Keel and Dalton Davis each received 356 votes, resulting in a deadlock for the third open seat. Per state law, the winner was chosen randomly by a coin toss, with Dalton Davis emerging victorious after the coin landed on tails.

Why it matters

The use of a coin flip to break election ties is a rare but legally sanctioned method in some states. While uncommon, it highlights the importance of clear election procedures and the need for voters to be aware of how such situations are resolved.

The details

The race for village trustee in Hortonville had four candidates vying for three open seats. Julie Arendt Vanden Heuvel received the most votes with 422, and Therese Abitz came in second with 405 votes. Keel and Davis tied for the third spot with 356 votes each. Under Wisconsin state law, when two or more candidates receive the same number of votes, the winner must be chosen 'by lot', which in this case meant a coin flip.

  • The election took place on Tuesday, April 8, 2026.
  • The coin toss to break the tie occurred immediately after the vote tallies were finalized.

The players

Dalton Davis

One of the four candidates for village trustee in Hortonville, Wisconsin, who won the third open seat after a coin flip broke his tie with opponent Shauna Keel.

Shauna Keel

One of the four candidates for village trustee in Hortonville, Wisconsin, who tied with Dalton Davis for the third open seat, leading to a coin flip that determined the winner.

Wisconsin State Statute 5.01(4)

The state law that requires election ties to be resolved by a random method such as a coin flip.

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What they’re saying

“Yeah, I even voted for her, just cause I know she did good last term.”

— Dalton Davis, Village Trustee Candidate

“It was a little disappointing to see that she didn't get in, but it came to a coin toss, so I don't know what else to tell you.”

— Dalton Davis, Village Trustee Candidate

What’s next

The newly elected village trustees, including Dalton Davis, will be sworn in at the next Hortonville Village Board meeting on April 20, 2026.

The takeaway

While uncommon, the use of a coin flip to break election ties highlights the importance of clear and transparent election procedures. This case serves as a reminder for voters to understand the rules governing their local elections and the methods used to resolve potential deadlocks.