With the race for the Kansas House of Representative 111th District still too close to call, all eyes will be on the Ellis County election office and Clerk and Election Officer Donna Maskus on Thursday night as the vote tallies are finalized.
Just 40 votes separate incumbent Democratic State Rep. Eber Phelps and Republican challenger Barb Wasinger after the final votes were tallied on election night. Wasinger led Phelps 4,259 to 4,219 votes.
There are still approximately 200 provisional ballots and more than 30 advance ballots that still must be counted, a process Maskus said could take a significant amount of time Thursday.
The election canvass will be at 5 p.m. Thursday at the Ellis County Administrative Center in the commission chambers and a vault nearby.
During the canvass, the remaining provisional and advanced ballots are opened, counted and then added to the vote totals to determine the final tally, which is then approved by the canvassing board.
(Read more: Hays Post)