Jeff Colyer gained five votes on Kris Kobach in Allen Countys primary election vote to help determine who will be the next Republican gubernatorial candidate.
Such a paltry number would usually be insignificant, but with this years razor-thin margin in the statewide GOP vote, every vote has increased importance.
The added votes came from 16 mail-in ballots that were postmarked Tuesday, but didnt arrive in the county clerks office until Wednesday or Thursday.
This was the first year mail-in ballots could be counted, even if they didnt arrive at the courthouse on Election Day.
The updated totals put Kobachs tally from Allen Countians at 652 votes; Colyer at 537.
Additional provisional ballots will be considered Tuesday when commissioners canvass the Allen County portion of the election.
Statewide, Kobach had a lead of about 150 votes over Colyer as of Friday, out of more than 320,000 ballots cast, combined, for the candidates.
A winner is unlikely to be declared for several days, especially if either candidate requests a recount.
