A Republican lawmaker says it's time to pick the winner in a bitterly contested race that could decide the balance of power in the Virginia House of Delegates.

Lawyers for Del. David Yancey on Friday urged elections officials to schedule a random drawing of the winner's name no later than Jan. 9, the day before the legislature reconvenes.

Yancey's lawyers argued that a recount court has already reviewed a single disputed ballot and found it was cast for Yancey. They urged state election officials to deny Democrat Shelly Simonds' motion for reconsideration.

Simonds won a recount by a single vote. The next day, a recount court declared a tie based on the disputed ballot.

If Simonds wins, the partisan split will be 50-50. If Yancey wins, Republicans will have a 51-49 majority.