One Vote Can Change Everything: The 2017 Virginia 94th House of Delegates District

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — On November 7, 2017, voters in Virginia’s 94th House of Delegates district filed into schools, churches, and community centers to make their voices heard. More than 23,000 ballots were cast. Yet weeks later, the fate of the seat — and control of the Virginia House itself — would rest not on policy debates, not on campaign speeches, but on a single slip of paper pulled from a bowl.

A Race Measured in Inches

The contest between Republican incumbent David Yancey and Democratic challenger Shelly Simonds began like many others. On election night, Yancey clung to a narrow lead of 12 votes. After certification, the gap was trimmed to 10. Simonds requested a recount, which gave her a one-vote lead: 11,608 to 11,607.

Then came the disputed ballot. A voter had filled in both candidates’ ovals but crossed out Simonds’ name. A panel of judges ruled the intent was for Yancey. That one ballot erased Simonds’ win and left the race tied at 11,608 apiece.

When Chance Became Law

Virginia law prescribes that tied elections for the House of Delegates be decided “by lot.” On January 4, 2018, election officials placed each candidate’s name into separate film canisters, dropped them into a hand-crafted blue-and-white ceramic bowl on loan from a local museum, and drew a winner.

The canister that emerged bore Yancey’s name. He returned to Richmond.

The Consequences of a Slip

The outcome reverberated far beyond Newport News. With Yancey’s victory, Republicans held a 51–49 majority in the House. Had Simonds won, the chamber would have been evenly split, forcing power-sharing and likely accelerating priorities such as Medicaid expansion. Instead, those reforms were delayed until a bipartisan coalition formed the following year.

For voters, it was a stark reminder: one ballot reshaped the political landscape for millions of Virginians.

For information on voting in Fredericksburg: FXBG Office of Voter Registration and Elections