Provisional Ballots

Provisional ballots are being counted in Sedgwick County.  The 1,000 plus ballots will make a difference in at least five races, two of which are tied.   Jeff Blubaugh is a candidate in one of those races for the Kansas House of Representatives 97th District.  He was just 27 votes behind Leslie Osterman.  Blubaugh came with his son to observe the canvassing.  The results would determine whether he won or lost. After the canvassing, Blubaugh remained precisely 27 votes behind Osterman.  They both received the same number of votes from the provisional ballots.  He is considering asking for a recount which would cost him $1700.

Provisional ballots did not change the results of the Sedgwick County casino election. You'll remember, the slots measure failed by just 343 votes last Tuesday.  Elections officials spent Monday tallying provisional ballots. But, in the end, there were not enough "yes" votes to change the outcome of the election. Election Commissioner Bill Gale says in his experience, provisional ballots rarely change the outcome of a vote, but he admits it is possible especially with the vote as close as it is. Proposition #1 No 58,035 Yes 45,410 Proposition #2 No 51,863 Yes 51,617 Eyewitness News will follow the developments as the votes are counted, count on us to let you know what happens.

After counting 18 provisional ballots, Pete Meitzner will continue on to the general election for Wichita City Council.  Meitzner is running for the District 2 seat.  After Tuesday's election, there were only ten votes between him and Steve Harris. On Friday, the provisional ballots were counted and Meitzner remained ahead of Harris by eight votes. Meitzner will now face Charlie Stevens in the April 5 general election. Stevens was the top vote-getter in the primary.

Unofficial results are in from the Sedgwick County Election Office and voters have decided against expanded gambling in Sedgwick County. Though Election Commissioner Bill Gale says, provisional ballots still must be counted before the results can be official. The numbers from the vote are below. PRECINCTS COUNTED - 250 TOTAL PRECINCTS COUNTED - 0250 REGISTERED VOTERS TOTAL - 235236 TOTAL BALLOTS CAST - 101643 Sedgwick County Proposition #1 - YES: 44326/43% - NO: 56842/56% Sedgwick County Proposition #2 YES:  50429/49% -  NO: 50772/50% Because only about 350 votes separate the yes and no votes in Proposition 2, provisional ballots could change the outcome.

The race was separated by just three votes, but a final count of provisional ballots does not change the outcome of the Ford County Commission District 2 Republican primary. Monday, county officials counted 38 provisional ballots in the race. Michael Burkhart still defeated incumbent Chris Boys for the district 2 Republican primary. After the count, Burkhart won by just two votes instead of three. "Well, it was a good close election, and I think the reason why the folks chose me is because of my knowledge, my background and my reputation," said Burkhart.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) - Voter turnout in this year's election sets a record - but just barely so far. The Secretary of State's office reports that 1,218,935 Kansans cast ballots in Tuesday's election. That's 5,827 votes more than the previous record, set in 2004. The turnout was almost 70 percent of the state's 1.75 million registered voters. This year's figure doesn't include more than 37,000 provisional ballots, which are cast when poll workers aren't sure someone is eligible to vote in a given precinct.

Sedgwick County had a better turnout than expected for Tuesday's primary election. So did the rest of Kansas. Sedgwick County Election Commissioner Bill Gale says out of 255,829 registered voters, 64,628 people cast ballots. That puts turnout at 25-percent. Gale said voter turnout was steady throughout the day, and triple digit temperatures did not keep voters from going to the polls.  The Secretary of State's office predicted about 20-percent turnout statewide.

By Robert Marin (SEWARD CO. & STANTON CO., Kan.) Improvements will be coming to two western Kansas hospitals, after two special elections Tuesday. In Seward County, nearly 82% of voters casting ballots said yes to a $17 million dollar bond issue. The bonds will pay for improvements to Southwest Medical Center in Liberal. The unofficial results were 1,119 "yes" votes and 250 "no" votes. The votes will be canvassed and made official Friday. In Stanton County, nearly 55% of voters casting ballots approve a $12.7 million bond issue for improvements to Stanton County Hospital in Johnson.

A tight race for the Wichita School Board is decided and an incumbent gets to keep his job.  Once the polls closed Tuesday night, Kevass Harding led by 41 votes against Karl Peterjohn.  Friday, provisional ballots were counted and Harding still came out ahead. "I knew it would be close, but I didn't know it would be this close," Harding said.  But he's now relieved the wait is over and he is the winner.  "I'm excited because not only do I get to see the K through 8 school start, but I get to see it to completion.

Update: After Friday's vote canvass, Shelley Armstrong held onto her lead and won the election. (BENTLEY, Kan.) Less than 500 people live in Bentley and the question on many of their minds is, "who's the new mayor?" Early totals from Tuesday night's election have Shelley Armstrong with a one vote lead on Sandra Williams, making the race too close to call before Friday's vote canvassing. "I probably won't be able to sigh relief until I get the results. So, we'll just wait and see," says Armstrong.

Provisional ballots are being counted in Sedgwick County.  The 1,000 plus ballots will make a difference in at least five races, two of which are tied.   Jeff Blubaugh is a candidate in one of those races for the Kansas House of Representatives 97th District.  He was just 27 votes behind Leslie Osterman.  Blubaugh came with his son to observe the canvassing.  The results would determine whether he won or lost. After the canvassing, Blubaugh remained precisely 27 votes behind Osterman.  They both received the same number of votes from the provisional ballots.  He is considering asking for a recount which would cost him $1700.

The race was separated by just three votes, but a final count of provisional ballots does not change the outcome of the Ford County Commission District 2 Republican primary. Monday, county officials counted 38 provisional ballots in the race. Michael Burkhart still defeated incumbent Chris Boys for the district 2 Republican primary. After the count, Burkhart won by just two votes instead of three. "Well, it was a good close election, and I think the reason why the folks chose me is because of my knowledge, my background and my reputation," said Burkhart.

After counting 18 provisional ballots, Pete Meitzner will continue on to the general election for Wichita City Council.  Meitzner is running for the District 2 seat.  After Tuesday's election, there were only ten votes between him and Steve Harris. On Friday, the provisional ballots were counted and Meitzner remained ahead of Harris by eight votes. Meitzner will now face Charlie Stevens in the April 5 general election. Stevens was the top vote-getter in the primary.

Sedgwick County had a better turnout than expected for Tuesday's primary election. So did the rest of Kansas. Sedgwick County Election Commissioner Bill Gale says out of 255,829 registered voters, 64,628 people cast ballots. That puts turnout at 25-percent. Gale said voter turnout was steady throughout the day, and triple digit temperatures did not keep voters from going to the polls.  The Secretary of State's office predicted about 20-percent turnout statewide.

By Robert Marin (SEWARD CO. & STANTON CO., Kan.) Improvements will be coming to two western Kansas hospitals, after two special elections Tuesday. In Seward County, nearly 82% of voters casting ballots said yes to a $17 million dollar bond issue. The bonds will pay for improvements to Southwest Medical Center in Liberal. The unofficial results were 1,119 "yes" votes and 250 "no" votes. The votes will be canvassed and made official Friday. In Stanton County, nearly 55% of voters casting ballots approve a $12.7 million bond issue for improvements to Stanton County Hospital in Johnson.

Update: After Friday's vote canvass, Shelley Armstrong held onto her lead and won the election. (BENTLEY, Kan.) Less than 500 people live in Bentley and the question on many of their minds is, "who's the new mayor?" Early totals from Tuesday night's election have Shelley Armstrong with a one vote lead on Sandra Williams, making the race too close to call before Friday's vote canvassing. "I probably won't be able to sigh relief until I get the results. So, we'll just wait and see," says Armstrong.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) - Voter turnout in this year's election sets a record - but just barely so far. The Secretary of State's office reports that 1,218,935 Kansans cast ballots in Tuesday's election. That's 5,827 votes more than the previous record, set in 2004. The turnout was almost 70 percent of the state's 1.75 million registered voters. This year's figure doesn't include more than 37,000 provisional ballots, which are cast when poll workers aren't sure someone is eligible to vote in a given precinct.

(WICHITA, Kan.) The vote was close, but school officials are celebrating. They're getting down to work today after the USD 259 school bond issue won Tuesday night. The bond issue passed by just over 1600 votes. Where does the district go from here? It held a briefing Wednesday morning to lay out what's next. President Lynn Rogers says he's "happy, but humbled" by the win. Rogers along with Interim Superintendent Martin Libhart laid out the timeline for the projects Wednesday morning.

(WICHITA, Kan.) Sedgwick County election provisional ballots will not be counted until next week. The Board of Canvasses meet Monday to verify ballots and certify them. Only then will they be counted and factored in to the election. Sedgwick County Election Office Sedgwick County election workers are still counting the ballots. They plan to have a final tally later this morning. Count on Eyewitness News on air and online for that number as soon as it's available.

Provisional ballots did not change the results of the Sedgwick County casino election. You'll remember, the slots measure failed by just 343 votes last Tuesday.  Elections officials spent Monday tallying provisional ballots. But, in the end, there were not enough "yes" votes to change the outcome of the election. Election Commissioner Bill Gale says in his experience, provisional ballots rarely change the outcome of a vote, but he admits it is possible especially with the vote as close as it is. Proposition #1 No 58,035 Yes 45,410 Proposition #2 No 51,863 Yes 51,617 Eyewitness News will follow the developments as the votes are counted, count on us to let you know what happens.