Lifeless hair? Votes are tied (8)

I believe the answer is:

deadlock

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'votes are tied' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this defines the answer.

'lifeless hair?' is the wordplay.
'lifeless' becomes 'dead' (similar in meaning).
'hair?' becomes 'lock' (a lock of hair).
'dead'+'lock'='DEADLOCK'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for deadlock that I've seen before include "Impasse, standoff" , "Log jam" , "Stalemate - it requires a key to open" , "Something opened by a key - stalemate" , "Standstill" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.

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