Pasadena City Council Seat Decided by Coin Flip After Tie Vote

Historic Coin Flip Decides Pasadena Council Seat

• 🎯 A coin flip was used to decide a city council seat in Pasadena for the first time in the city's history.
• 🗳️ The race for the District B seat was between candidates Bianca Valerio and Bruce Leman, who were tied with 272 votes each after a runoff election and a recount.

Candidate Agreement and State Law

• 🤝 Both candidates, Bianca Valerio and Bruce Leman, agreed to the coin flip as the method to determine the winner.
• 📜 State law mandates that a game of chance, such as a coin toss, is used to decide election ties when a recount confirms the exact same vote tally.

The Coin Toss Procedure

• 🪙 Pasadena's mayor selected a random quarter from a rolled wrapper for the toss.
• ❓ Bruce Leman agreed to let Bianca Valerio call the coin toss.
• 🏠 Leman mentioned he had been practicing by flipping coins at home to prepare for the moment.

Outcome and Candidate Reactions

• ✅ Bianca Valerio won the coin toss, securing the city council seat.
• 👏 The crowd, including former councilman Bert Lavine, applauded the resolution.
• 😔 Valerio expressed that she would have preferred a third election over a decision by chance.
• 🙏 Leman wished Valerio the best for her upcoming term and thanked everyone who voted and followed the election.

Future Implications

• 📉 Leman indicated he might not run for city council again.
• 💡 The election highlighted the importance of local elections and voting, bringing attention to the process.