New Bern's summer elections heating up in July, could be determined in an unusual way

Trevor Dunnell, Sun Journal
·4 min read
After the May 17 New Bern election, the importance of voting and the slim margins that come with those who chose not to could be the deciding factor of who will be elected to represent the city for the next several years.
After the May 17 New Bern election, the importance of voting and the slim margins that come with those who chose not to could be the deciding factor of who will be elected to represent the city for the next several years.

New Bern elections for mayor and aldermen have been tight three of the last four election cycles with a few votes separating the winners. This year's cycle is one of the closest in that time frame and the remaining seats could be determined by lot if a tie-breaker is needed.

The final vote tallies after the canvassing of the May 17 election showed former New Bern police chief Toussaint Summers finishing the election in first place with 2,635 votes, while New Bern Alderman Jeffrey Odham received 2,631 — a mere four votes shy of tieing Summers.

In Ward 1, incumbent Alderman Sabrina Bengel finished first with 548 votes while candidate Rick Prill finished behind Bengel with 507 votes. In Ward 2, candidate Jennell Reddick finished first with 268 votes while candidate Hazel Royal finished second with 240 votes.

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Because Summers, Bengel, and Reddick did not receive 50% of the total vote count, the door to request a runoff election was left open for candidates who finished second.

New Bern's mayoral election hangs in the balance of several things. For now, one candidate holds the slightest of leads.
New Bern's mayoral election hangs in the balance of several things. For now, one candidate holds the slightest of leads.

The future of New Bern's leadership lies in the hands of its residents for a second time. Runoff elections were requested for the mayor, Ward 1, and Ward 2 which will be held Tuesday, July 26.

How is a winner determined? What if there is a tie?

Holding an election in July is hot enough, but if the three races come down to a tie, things could get even hotter.

With only the top two vote-getters from the mayoral, Ward 1, and Ward 2 alderman races participating, the top vote-getter of the runoff elections will win. If candidates are tied after the canvassing is completed, the winner will be determined by lot, according to North Carolina law.

Former Craven County Board of Elections Director Meloni Wray explained it is up to the board to determine how to move forward and could mean the winner is drawn from a hat, or the candidates draw straws.

The last time a tie-breaker was needed was for aldermen elections in Dover when the board pulled the winning candidate's name from a hat in 2015.

More: Run it back: Odham calls for runoff, New Bern's third in last four municipal election cycles

More: New Bern Aldermen: Bengel leads in Ward 1, Reddick takes down Harris, Brinson wins

More: Leading by one vote: Summers holds slim lead as results remain unofficial

Runoff elections bold well for candidates in second place

Odham is no stranger to a runoff; he needed one when he was first elected as Ward 6 alderman in 2013. Odham finished second to Ashley Smith by 134 votes but requested a runoff and won a month later.

In 2013, Bengel finished first in the October election, ahead of current Mayor Dana Outlaw. However, Outlaw was able to request a runoff and went on to beat Bengel.

The runoff repeat happened again in 2009 when former mayor Tom Bayliss finished first in the October election, only for second place vote-getter Lee Bettis to request a runoff. Bettis won the runoff and was elected mayor.

Ward 1 candidates Alderman Sabrina Bengel and resident Rick Prill
Ward 1 candidates Alderman Sabrina Bengel and resident Rick Prill
Ward 2 candidates Jennell Reddick (left) and Hazel Royal (right).
Ward 2 candidates Jennell Reddick (left) and Hazel Royal (right).

What is a runoff election?

It's a second chance for residents to exercise their constitutional rights. An opportunity to be heard again. It is the ultimate determination of who will represent the city for the next four years — three and a half years for this upcoming term.

Wipe away the numbers from May 17 and start from scratch. This is a brand new election.

Polls will open at 6:30 a.m. and close at 7:30 p.m. You must vote at your assigned precinct based on your residential address and have lived there for 30 days or more to receive your correct ballot.

Absentee voting is allowed. Requests for absentee ballots by mail must be made in writing on the approved State Board of Elections form and received in the Craven County Board of Elections office no later than 5 p.m. Tuesday, July 19.

Voted absentee by mail ballots must be received in the Craven County Board of Elections office no later than 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, July 26.

One-stop voting will be held in the Board of Elections building located at 406 Craven Street in New Bern beginning Thursday, July 7, and ending at 3 p.m. Saturday, July 23. One-stop voting hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., and on Saturday, July 23 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

In-person same-day registration will be allowed during the One-Stop period with proper documents.

The canvass to finalize the runoff election results will be held at 11 a.m., at the Craven County Board of Elections office, on August 5.

Reporter Trevor Dunnell can be reached by email at tdunnell@newbernsj.com. Please consider supporting local journalism by signing up for a digital subscription.

This article originally appeared on Sun Journal: New Bern runoff elections for mayor, Ward 1, Ward 2