State election officials are counting 5,500 provisional ballots that could help decide the race for superintendent of public instruction.
    
Incumbent Democrat Denise Juneau holds a slight lead over Republican challenger Sandy Welch. Welch has said she would request a recount if the result stands and is within the allowable margin.
    
Election officials began counting those ballots on Tuesday. Secretary of State spokeswoman Terri McCoy says final tallies from all counties are expected Wednesday afternoon.
    
Missoula County has the most, with 2,000. Elections administrator Vickie Zeier tells the Missoulian an initial tally of most of those ballots Wednesday showed Juneau gained votes over Welch by more than a 2-to-1 margin.
    
Gallatin County has nearly 800 provisional ballots and Cascade County has about 300.