South Portland councilors expect to take another shot at nominating a mayor next week, after a first attempt ended in a deadlock Monday night.

Councilors Tom Blake, Patricia Smith and Tom Coward voted for Blake. Linda Boudreau, Jim Hughes and Maxine Beecher voted for Boudreau.

And Mayor Jim Soule, the potential tie-breaker, renominated himself.

That was an interesting twist because the mayor position in South Portland is largely formal, rotating each year to a different member of the council.

Hughes said he knows of no precedent for a mayor staying on for a second year.

"This time we just had more people who wanted to be mayor than usual," Hughes said. "I believe that everybody is qualified for the job. I don't think that's a problem."

The council is expected to take another vote by secret ballot at a workshop at 6:30 p.m. Monday at the Community Center.

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