SINGLE VOTE SEPARATES CANDIDATES IN ILLINOIS HOUSE 51ST DISTRICT RACE

Every vote counts, especially in the suburban 51st District Illinois House race, where incumbent Republican Helene Miller Walsh and Democratic challenger Mary Edly-Allen were separated by a single vote on Wednesday.

With all precincts reporting, Walsh had a lead of one vote out of more than 50,000 votes cast, according to totals tabulated by the Associated Press. The outcome of the election likely won't be known for weeks, as provisional and mail-in ballots still must be counted.

Walsh, whose husband is former Republican U.S. Rep. Joe Walsh, was appointed to the seat in August after Rep. Nick Sauer resigned. The 51st District includes all or portions of Barrington, Lake Zurich, Long Grove, Libertyville and Mundelein.