Twelve years after losing a coin toss in a tied election for alderman in coastal Mississippi, independent Charles Piazza won a tie by drawing the longer of two straws.

Republican nominee Brett Ladner had held a 108-106 lead Tuesday night, but verification of four affidavit ballots on Wednesday tied the race in Waveland, leading to the straw draw.

Piazza tells The Sun Herald (http://bit.ly/1w3viZF) his 2002 re-election campaign also wound up in a tie.

City attorney Gary Yarborough says the law calls for a game of chance to decide tied elections.

Waveland's board of aldermen and mayor were sworn in Wednesday.

___

Information from: The Sun Herald, http://www.sunherald.com