(Photo by Nick Blumberg - KJZZ)

Maricopa County Recorder Helen Purcell.

Incumbent Maricopa County Recorder Helen Purcell leads over Republican primary challenger, human resources consultant Aaron Flannery, in the last tally of results released Thursday evening. 

Less than 1 percentage point, 374 votes, divided Purcell and Flannery. There are an estimated 35,000 early ballots and 3,000 provisional ballots left to count.

The final outcome is far from certain. A spokesman for the Recorder’s office said Thursday the tally could go on through the weekend.

In Maricopa County, an automatic recount would be triggered if the difference is less than 10 votes, but a candidate can request one if they feel there are grounds for a recount. Purcell has indicated she has no plans to challenge the outcome if she loses.

Purcell, who was first elected to the job as the county’s top election official in 1988, has come under increased scrutiny for the office’s handling of March’s Presidential Preference Election in which some county voters waited hours to cast ballots. 

Uncounted Maricopa county ballots will also help decide another hotly contested congressional race.

The battle to replace retiring Republican Rep. Matt Salmon in Arizona’s 5th Congressional District remains too close to call. At last count, front-runner Christine Jones leads state Senate President Andy Biggs by fewer than 600 votes.