BRIDGEPORT, Ala. (NewsNation Now) — Voters in a Northeast Alabama town have voted for a new member of their city council, a man who died about a month before the election.

Wayne Crabtree was vying for his third term as a Bridgeport City councilman, when he died before the Aug. 25 election.

Mayor David Hughes told NewsNation affiliate WHNT that state law prevented them from removing Crabtree’s name from the ballot.

“When it happened, we weren’t sure what to do,” said Hughes.

He won by 56 votes.

The mayor said Crabtree’s widow will be sworn in to take his seat.

“His wife showed interest and said if he did win the election, she’d like to serve on the board,” said Hughes.