The Sedgwick County Board of Canvassers will finalize results from the Aug. 2 primary on Tuesday. The delay came after more than 200 provisional ballots were still being hand-counted on Monday afternoon. More than 1300 provisional ballots were cast, and about half were rejected.
"We had 351 people who attempted to vote a party that they didn't belong to, whether that's crossing from one party to another, or they wanted to remain unaffiliated and still voted on a ballot for a political party," says Sedgwick County Election Commissioner Tabitha Lehman. "The parties both have voted to have closed primaries."
Others not counted include 111 ballots from people not registered in Sedgwick County, and 111 ballots mailed in late after election day.
According to Lehman, of the provisional ballots that were counted, 133 people had address changes but went to the correct polling place.
County Commissioner Jim Howell says some contests, including a judicial race, are very close.
"When you are talking about this many ballots this can certainly have an impact on that final number, and if it's close, really close, then it will obviously kick a requirement for a recount in that race, and I guess there is also an option for the candidate to also request a recount," he says.
Howell also says that potential ties may mean a coin toss or the drawing of a name out of a hat.
The election results are expected to be certified at the Election Office in downtown Wichita on Tuesday, Aug. 9, at 9 a.m.
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Carla Eckels is assistant news director and the host of Soulsations. Follow her on Twitter @Eckels.
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