Recount May Be Next Step In Close State House District 71 Race In Tulsa

Unofficial results from Tuesday's special election for State House District 71 show Democrat Dan Arthrell defeated Republican Katie Henke by just three votes.

The two were vying to replace former Republican state representative Dan Sullivan, who stepped down last year to become chief executive officer of the Grand River Dam Authority.

The unofficial results showed Arthrell with 1,416 votes to Henke's 1,413 votes.

Oklahoma Republican Party Chairman Matt Pinnell says the District 71 race is still too close to call, so they will most likely ask for a recount.

Pinnell says the GOP will wait for a Friday decision on provisional ballots in this race and then decide if a hand recount is needed. 

The Tulsa County Election Board says there are 6 provisional ballots. An announcement concerning those ballots will be released at 1 p.m. Friday.

If a recount is requested, the candidate must do so with the Oklahoma Election Board by 5 p.m. Friday.

4/3/12 Related Story: Tulsa Voters Decide Special Oklahoma House Seat Tuesday