More than five weeks after the November election, Ohio’s only undecided race could have a winner by Friday evening.

Republican incumbent Al Landis holds a 14-vote lead over his Democratic challenger, Josh O’Farrell, in the 98th Ohio House district in Tuscarawas County

But county board members have been arguing along party lines on whether a recount is necessary and how it should be conducted.

Secretary of State Jon Husted, a Republican, broke the deadlock Wednesday by siding with Democratic members of the board and forcing a recount. 

The decision also requires election officials to review the eligibility of provisional ballots using existing standards.  Democrats had argued the criteria for rejecting provisional ballots was too strict.

Husted says the board needs to declare a winner no later than 4pm Friday.