GUNTERSVILLE — The race for Guntersville mayor is headed for a runoff after the two candidates received an even number of votes.
Incumbent mayor Leigh Dollar and challenger Jeff McLaughlin each earned 1,065 votes after the provisionals were counted during a special called city council meeting Friday afternoon.
Dollar had been leading by one vote since Tuesday's municipal elections. But before they could call the race, seven provisional ballots needed to be vetted and tallied. Three of the ballots went to to Dollar, and four went to McLaughlin.
"I'm sure it's something neither one of us expected with two people in the race," Dollar told 1819 News.
Mclaughlin said he was hesitant to attend the meeting believing it might violate state code to wait seven days after the election to validate provisional ballots. However, he said a provision passed in 2022 made the process legal.
"It's been such a roller coaster since Tuesday night," McLaughlin said.
They run off election will be held September 23.
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