COEUR d'ALENE — After the votes were tallied during Tuesday night's election, the race between Norm Milem and J.D. Owen for the Seat 5 position of Kootenai County Water District No. 1 ended in a 51-51 tie.

After a conversation between county and state officials, it was determined that a coin toss by Kootenai County Clerk Jim Brannon on May 31 will settle the tie of the race for the district north of Wolf Lodge.

The toss will be two days after the votes of the election will be made official by Kootenai County commissioners.

Even after the coin toss, the candidates may ask for a recount if they ask within 20 days of the results’ certification.

"If called for, a water district recount would be paid for by the county, with funds coming out of the Elections Department account," Kootenai County Elections Manager Judd Wilson wrote in an email. It was too early to estimate the cost, he said.

The clerk will issue an order for a recount. The recount will take place in no more than 10 days from the date of the order.

There is no provision for an automatic recount in Idaho, though anyone can request a recount if they are willing to pay the required $100 per precinct fee when the request is made.

Voter turnout for the election was light. Of 82,124 registered voters in Kootenai County, 6,175, or 7.52 percent, cast a ballot.