Jane Braunlich will be taking a seat on Bellevue Council Monday night after all. The Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court has overturned a local court ruling that created a tie for the second of two first ward seats to be decided in the November general election.

Braunlich led Republican David Piet by one vote until an absentee ballot was discovered in the trunk of the first ward, first district judge of election's car. That ballot contained a vote for Piet.

The incumbent Democrat filed a legal challenge with the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County citing multiple violations of the the state's election code because the ballot was not opened before witnesses on election day. Judge Joseph James rejected the argument and allowed the vote to be counted.

The Allegheny County Department of Elections had the two candidates "cast lots" to determine the winner. Piet received a higher number, and thus the council seat.

But not for long. Just days before Piet was to be sworn in on Jan. 4, the Commonwealth Court filed its opinion reversing the order issued by Judge James , and therefore mandating that the absentee ballot be stricken.