The winner of this B.C. school trustee race was decided by random draw

A two-way tie for a trustee seat in the Kamloops-Thompson school district ended up in a courtroom for a recount and, eventually, a random draw that resembled pulling a name out of a hat.

Incumbent Shelley Sim was declared the winner by court order in Kamloops provincial court, according to rules set out by the Local Government Act in the case of a deadlock in an election.

After the Oct. 17 municipal election, Sim and her lone challenger for the seat, Lee Onslow, ended up tied with 337 votes each. After the judicial recount, a judge issued a succinct decision: “Order made that Shelley Sim has won the election by virtue of a drawing of a lot.”

The immediate reaction by Sim — who said she loves public service (“There’s no sweeter blessing”) — was not what you’d expect.

“Oh, I thought the universe would have come up with a different result,” Sim said by phone after being informed by a reporter of her win Wednesday morning.

Sim, who has held that school trustee position and a Clearwater city council seat for the past four terms, was elected mayor of Clearwater this year.

“I struggle with the idea of holding too much power,” she said. “I feel that power should be shared.”

“I really wanted Lee to be the one who won. As the incumbent, a tie doesn’t seem like a win.”

Sim was in a quandary after hearing she won what was essentially a coin toss. In comments before she learned of her win, Sim called Onslow “so lovely. I would be delighted to have someone as qualified as her taking over.”

Sim had won by three votes, calling it “my landslide,” after the initial count on election night. Onslow, understandably, requested a recount.

After the tie was announced, Sim said she considered conceding but was told it required ministerial approval once the new provincial government is sworn in.

She said the decision of whether or not to continue to serve as trustee is “so difficult” because she knows and admires Onslow but says she has a duty to respect those in the riding who voted for her.

“I love democracy so much and I want to respect that,” she said, before adding she would take some time to consult others before making any further comment.

“There’s ethics and there’s loyalties and the democratic process,” said Sim. “To quote Ted Lasso,” she said, referring to popular fictional soccer coach who is endlessly upbeat and kind-hearted: “When is doing the right thing not the right thing?”

A text later in the day said she learned that conceding would mean a byelection would need to be called.

“After our communities have already been through two election cycles, I don’t believe asking people to go through another election process,” she said in an email. “This would be costly and disruptive.”