Bruce Gorenflo has won election to Berrien County’s District 5 today following a scheduled drawing between himself and challenger Rayonte Bell at the Berrien County Board of Canvassars Board Room this afternoon.
Gorenflo, the Republican candidate ended the regular election on November 3rd in a tie with Democrat Bell, forcing the drawing today hosted by the Berrien County Clerk Sharon Tyler.
Bell successfully guessed closest to the Board Chair’s written number between 1 and 10 and elected to draw from the box of two labels “ELECTED” and “NOT ELECTED,” but ended up drawing the “Not Elected” slip of paper, while Gorenflo ended up with the “Elected” slip, thereby winning the contested election.
Bell still has the option to request a recount, but has to wait until the State Board of Canvassers completes their canvass on November 23rd. He will then have six days in which to file for the recount, but will also have to pay $25 per precinct for the privilege. He can request any one precinct, multiples or all, but has to pay $25 per precinct to be recounted.
The two candidates and the Board of Canvassers all wore facemasks and were socially distanced at the drawing which was streamed live on YouTube. In the photo accompanying this story on Moody on the Market, Gorenflo holds the “Elected” slip on the left, while Bell shows the “Not Elected” slip on the right.
