PROVO — They are the reason for that asterisk next to unofficial returns from Tuesday's primary elections.

They are provisional ballots — an often-overlooked factor in elections because of the relatively small proportion of voters they represent. However, provisional ballots will be the deciding factor in two races in Utah County this week.

Provisional ballots are cast by voters who claim to be registered in a given district but do not appear on the district's registry.

This most often occurs in cases where voters register close to the deadline.

People in such a situation are allowed to vote — but their ballots are not officially counted until the Utah County Recorder's Office verifies they are eligible.

In Utah County, two incumbents are on different sides of close primary elections. Uncounted provisional ballots could change the outcome of the races.

In Saratoga Springs, incumbent mayor Timothy Parker may have edged Lonny Stanford by four votes, 174 to 170, for the second spot in the general election.

While J. Scott Kahn clinched the first spot with 218 votes, there are still 10 provisional ballots to be counted.

In Genola, incumbent Councilman Quentin L. Francom barely missed the cut for the general election. He received 56 votes and Chris D. Greenwood received 60.

However, there are at least six provisional ballots left. Election officials said there could be as many as eight that have not been included in the count.

By law, cities have from Friday to Tuesday to count the valid provisional ballots and declare an official result to the primary election.

Most cities plan to conduct that count — or canvass — Tuesday evening. Until then, candidates will have to wait on the razor's edge.

Parker said he is not too anxious about the wait. The only thing that had him worried, he said, was the appearance early on that there would not be very many candidates in the election. But numerous candidates filed as the deadline drew near, he said, and voter turnout was good.

"I was glad to have so much participation," Parker said. "That's why it doesn't hurt to be so close to another candidate. With so much participation, people have had a chance to be heard. If I don't make it, I don't make it. It's not the end of the world."

Parker said he has confidence in whoever comes out on top.

"Whoever wins this election will be the people's choice," he said.

While it is not common for provisional ballots to play the deciding role in an election, it has happened. In 2003, two Utah cities had elections come down to provisional ballots.

In South Jordan, City Council candidate David Colton had appeared to lose the election by four votes. But when provisional ballots were counted, he and Aleta Taylor were tied. City officials were baffled as to how the winner would be chosen, but a late absentee ballot (which was postmarked the day before the election) gave Colton the win.

In Washington Terrace, Weber County, incumbent mayor Mark Allen and challenger Robert Garside were tied at 716 votes after the general election. Provisional ballots came into play, but were not the deciding factor — a count of provisional ballots left the candidates tied at 724.

That election was ultimately decided with the roll of a dice. Allen won and remained in office.

When contacted Wednesday night, Francom wasn't even aware of the provisional ballots in Genola, and that he still had a chance of advancing to the general election.

"I think it would be amazing if it happened that way," he said.

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E-mail: jtwitchell@desnews.com