Cumberland City board orders Ward 1 runoff after tied vote, adopts Resolution 202503

Recorder Mathis told the Board of Mayor and Aldermen on Nov. 7 that the city faces a tied result in the recent election and introduced Resolution 202503 to order a runoff. "This is a resolution, for to resolve a tied vote in a runoff election," Mathis said, naming the tied candidates as Miss Dunlap and Mister Mathis.

Mathis told the board the county election office audited the election and reported a finding involving 25 votes and some voters recorded outside city limits. Mathis said that audit raised questions about the validity of the prior outcome and explained the board’s options: the legislative body may decide the tie itself under state statute and MTAS guidance, or the city may order a runoff election. "We have, 80 days from a resolution being completed," Mathis said, referring to the statutory window for scheduling a runoff.

Mathis discussed estimated costs and county assistance, saying, "Mister Robert Beauchamp, mayor, Beauchamp, he's gonna pay $5,000 from the county to go towards this." Mathis also stated the city's statutory responsibility for runoff costs but said the city’s outlay was limited to "not to exceed $2,500" because of county help. He said the county election office (Daniel Perrigo) will handle scheduling and logistics; Perrigo estimated the runoff could be scheduled "between the eighteenth and the February 23." The board emphasized the runoff is for Ward 1 only.

The board took a roll-call vote on Resolution 202503. Short, Gunston, Milligan and Mayor Vaughn voted yes; Gillum voted no. The motion carried, ordering a Ward 1 runoff to resolve the tie. Recorder Mathis said staff will coordinate with the county election office to set a precise date within the 80-day period and arrange early voting and absentee ballots.

The board did not specify a mover or seconder for the resolution in the recorded remarks; the vote tally was recorded by roll call. The county’s audit finding, the cost estimates and the 80-day statutory deadline frame the next steps. The election office is to finalize the date and logistics.