Crested Butte Town Council Election Decided By Game Of 'Ninja-Bear-Cowboy'

The City of Crested Butte, Colorado embraced its Western heritage this month, opting to decide a tied Town Council election with a duel--albeit a duel updated for the 21st century. In the spirit of Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr, Town Council candidates Roland Mason and Phoebe Wilson decided to settle a third place tie in November's elections with a game of 'Bear Ninja Cowboy,' which Town Clerk Eileen Hughes described to the Crested Butte News as an extreme version of "Rock-Paper-Scissor."

The game consists of two competitors standing back-to-back. Each takes three steps forward, like a Western duel, then turn around and pose like either a ninja, a cowboy or a bear. Ninja disarms Cowboy. Bear mauls Ninja. And Cowboy shoots Bear.

Mason won when his 'bear' conquered Wilson's 'ninja' in the third round.

According to state law, the tie must be broken by a "lot." Ties are thus frequently broken by games of chance.

Check out some other random election tie-breakers from around the country. By some odd coincidence, Florida has two entries in the list of bizarre ways to decide elections.