If you don't think every vote counts, just ask Ruby V. Garcia and Isela G. Perez, both of Earlimart.

The two finished with exactly 390 votes each in the Nov. 4 election for the Earlimart Elementary School board.

They were among four candidates vying for two trustee seats. Incumbent Victoria Mendoza won one of the seats with 450 votes. Garcia and Perez are tied for the second.

But there will be no drawing of straws to determine the winner.

School district bylaws require that a special election be held between Garcia and Perez to determine the winner. It's undecided when the special election will be held.

Officials with the Tulare County Elections Division, which certified results of the election Wednesday, said the tie was just the second in the county in 30 years.