Republicans have taken control of Virginia's House of Delegates after state officials decided the election by drawing names out of a bowl.
Officials pulled a slip of paper bearing Republican David Yancey's name from a ceramic bowl on Thursday, declaring him the winner of the tied House race after nearly two months of recounts. His Democratic challenger signalled she may still contest the results of the "lot draw" election.
Mr Yancey, a three-term incumbent, was initially declared the winner in the November election. An ensuing recount, however, put opponent Shelly Simonds on top by a single vote.
The election results changed again the next day, when a three-judge panel ruled that a previously discarded ballot could be counted in Mr Yancey's favour. The ballot showed circles marked next to both Mr Yancey's and Mr Simond's names, with a slash through the latter.
The panel's decision brought the dramatic election – which would decide whether Republicans ruled the House – to a 11,608-to-11,608 tie.
The Board of Elections eventually decided to use a 300-year-old law to settle the dispute. The board put both candidates' names on slips of paper inside canisters and placed them in a blue-and-white bowl, borrowed for the occasion from the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. The board chairman, James Alcorn, drew Mr Yancey's name from the dish.
The win gave Republicans a slim, 51-49 majority in the House of Delegates. Republicans previously held a 66-34 advantage, before the November election turned the tides in Democrats' favour. The surprising election results were seen as a rebuke of President Donald Trump's party, and a warning sign for Republicans in the 2018 midterms.
Ms Simonds may still be able to request another recount – a move that would likely prevent the election from being decided before the 2018 legislative session begins next week. The Democrat told reporters that she was "keeping all options open" after the draw, according to CNN.
"At this moment, I am not conceding," she said, though Mr Alcorn said her opponent was the certified winner. House Democrats said they would announce their next moves later on Thursday.
Mr Yancey did not attend the drawing.
It has been nearly 50 years since a legislative election in Virginia was decided by drawing lots. A House seat was decided by drawing straws in Mississippi in 2015, and by a coin toss in Alaska in 2006.
