The top law enforcement official in one east Alabama county was chosen with the flip of a coin on Tuesday.

Democrat Henry Lambert and Republican James “Jim” Studdard were tied in the race for Clay County sheriff on Tuesday morning after all the votes were counted, each receiving 2,680 votes. In accordance with state law, the two men agreed to a means for selecting a winner: A coin toss. With both candidates present, the race was decided by flipping a coin.

Studdard won the toss.

Clay County Probate Judge Dianne Branch confirmed the results were decided - at least temporarily - by the flip of a coin.

“Both candidates have much for which to be proud; they are well-qualified and should be proud that the public recognized that,” she said.

The county’s probate office will hold a recount Friday morning, but officials from the probate office said it’s unlikely the second count will be different than the first.

According to Alabama law, here’s how ties are decided: "In all elections where there is a tie between the two highest candidates for the same office, for all county or precinct offices, it shall be decided by lot by the sheriff of the county in the presence of the candidates; and in the case of the office of circuit judge, senator, representative, or any state officer not otherwise provided for, the Secretary of State shall, in the presence of the Governor, and such other electors as may choose to be present, decide the tie by lot.”

This isn’t the first time a local election in Alabama has been decided via a coin toss after a tie. In 1996, Bill Berry won a third term on the Limestone County Board of Education after he called heads. In 2008, Herman Delmer Williams won a spot on the Washington County Commission. “I’ve never won anything by a coin toss before,” Williams said at the time. “I’ve always lost. I started to go ahead and leave because I thought I had lost. I guess it was just supposed to be.”