Democracy, Republican Style -- Virginia Edition

From the rigged elections file:

The outcome of a key Virginia House of Delegates election was just determined by the drawing of lots (specifically, in this case, via old-school film canisters in a stoneware bowl), and Republican Del. David Yancey won the race for the 94th District. 

This drawing should never have happened, however. Democrat Shelly Simonds secured a one-vote win in the recount on Dec. 19, but shady Republican antics resulted in the three-judge recount panel counting an additional vote for Yancey the following day, yielding a tie. Today, the tie was broken, in accordance with state law, by the drawing of lots.

Democrat Shelly Simonds has the option to ask for a recount; we're hoping she does.

Meanwhile Dean of Virginia politics Larry Sabato echoes our thinking:

VA Dems got a 55-45% majority in all House of Delegates contests combined in Nov. '17. 10% majority=landslide. They will get either 49% or 50% of the actual seats. And it looks like Rs will get Speaker's job and all committee chairs, regardless. Democracy, American style, 2018.

— Larry Sabato (@LarrySabato) January 4, 2018

A little gerrymandering goes a long way.

It's Official: Democrats Sweep Virginia

Virginia Republican Mark Obenshain conceded the race for Attorney General tonight, giving Democrats a sweep of the top three offices in the Commonwealth of Virginia for the first time since 1989.  Democrats Terry McAuliffe and Ralph Northam were elected as Governor and Lt. Governor, respectively, in November.   Democrat Mark Herring had led the vote count by 165 votes out of more than 2 million cast when Obenshain asked for the recount.  During the recount, which began this past Monday, Herring's lead over Obenshain increased to over 800.